Methodist Circuit Riders

Mississippi and Louisana
Early Times — 1792-1847

Sources

1. Original copy of “Minutes of Methodist Conferences” 1773-1813 inclusive Vol. I - Published by Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware, for the Methodist Connexion in the United States. John C. Totten, Printer. 1813.
2. John G. Jones - 2 Vol. - History of Methodism in Mississippi
3. J.B. Cain - Methodism in the Mississippi. Conference - 1846-1870
4. Methodism in the Mississipi Conference: 1894-1919 - J. Allen Lindsey
5. Wm. L. Hamrick - The Mississippi Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church 1829-1939
6. Holland N. McTyeire: A History of Methodism
7. W. C. Barclay- Early American Methodism
8. Methodism in Natchez - Henry G. Hawkins
9. Galloway Memorial Church - 1856-1956: Alfred P. Hamilton
10. Mary Thomas Peacock - The circuit Rider and those who followed
11. Robert Henry Harper: Louisana Methodism

GENERAL MINUTES - at Mississippi Conference Historical Archives, Millsaps College
JOURNALS of the LOUISIANA CONFERENCE - in the Cline Room, Centenary College
MEMBERSHIP REGISTERS, FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, MONROE, LOUISIANA - as available

This study has been very interesting and I have pursued it from time to time during the summer of 1969 and have tried to put together various items from these various sources. -H.L. Johns

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A Personal Word

My interest in this project began in the desire of some First Church, Monroe, members to write a history of their church by expanding the work published in a small booklet some years ago by Miss Julia Wossman.

I offered to attempt to ascertain as nearly as possible when the Monroe church began and the names of all the ministers who had served there.

It was my feeling that he early circuit riders who first came to this area ought to be included. Certainly many and perhaps all of them came at various times to Monroe. This required consulting the General Minutes and records of the Mississippi and Louisiana conferences, and the various books listed above.

I was privileged to have come into possession of an original copy of the “Minutes of the Conferences” of early Methodism, 1773-1813 - beginning even prior to the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore Maryland, at het Christmas Conference in 1784. IN this aged volume I found and traced the career of TOBIAS GIBSON, whom Bishop FRANCIS ASBURY had chosen and appointed as first missionary to Natchez, in 1799.

The two volumes of Methodism in Mississippi by Dr. John G. Jones have been a great help and interest. Dr. Jones once served the Washita Circuit. Likewise, Dr. Robert H. Harper’s book, “Louisiana Methodism”, has been of interest and help. These two books are of special value as they contain so much individual biographical material concerning the itinerants.

Also, I wish to express my deep appreciation of the privileges afforded me in the libraries of Centenary College, Shreveport and Millsaps College, Jackson - where archives of the Louisiana and Mississippi conferences are to be found. The Louisiana archives are splendidly housed in the “Cline Room”. Dr. Walter M. Lowery of the Centenary faculty is the director of this room. Dr. J. B. Cain, who lives at historic Washington, Miss., is the director and moving spirit in the Mississippi Conference archives, and is himself the author of an important volume covering 1846-1850. Thanks to these very fine men.

The following pages cover all appointments made for Louisiana Methodism in the early days prior to organization of the Louisiana Conference in 1847; many appointments in Mississippi and Alabama are noted to show how these early circuit riders moved about.

I plan now to prepare a list showing the appointments to Monroe from the earliest possible date to the present time; included will be Trenton and West Monroe First church from time to time as I find them.

July 25,1969 H. L. Johns

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MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA METHODIST CIRCUIT RIDERS 1792-1847

(Note especially their assignments and some of the special events)

Year Bishop Conference and District Events - Appointments

1792
Francis Asbury South Carolina Tobias Gibson - born 11-17-1771
At the conference he was addmited ONTRIAL andappointed to Bush River. Conference held 11-14-1792

1793
Asbury South Carolina Gibson to Senate

1794
Gibson received into full connection sent to Union ( one quarter with William McKendree, Micholas Watters) then to Lexington with John Metcalf. Ordained Deacon.

1795
Gibson to Holstein

1796
Ordained to elder and sent to Edisto

1797
Sent to Santee

1798
Gibson sent to Charleston; this year Lorenzo Dow O.T.

1799
Gibson appointed to Little Pee Dee - BUT - ASBURY selected him and apointed him Missionary to the Natchez Country - This was also the year that Joshua Soule was admitted ON TRIAL (I suppose in NewEngland)
John G. Jones has evidence that TOBIAS GIBSON ARRIVED IN NATCHEZ in the spring (March) of 1799, as he officiated at the wedding of Jonathon Jones and Phoebe Girfiing in Natchez, Oct. 10, 1799. NOTE- the record in the General Minutes was a year delayed so the 1799 “record” shows Tobias Gibson in S.CA.CONF. at Pee Dee.

1800
Asbury S.Ca. Gibson’s name appears as appointed to Natchez. At Natchez Gibson’s cousin, Randall Gibson, lived; he and his wife and William and Rachel Foster and abut four others were first memebers; A Rev. Swayze (J.p 29-ff) had been pastor of a congregational church; some descendeants of this preacher live in and are memebers of First Church, Monroe (Marcus Swayze)

1801
Asbury S.Ca. Conf. Georgia District Tobias Gibson, Natchez, 80 memebers

1802
Western Conf., Ky District, Wm. McKendree, P.E. It was about this time that Methodism began to list appointments by conference and districts. Tobias Gibson, Natchez, 100 members.

1803
Western Conference, Cumberland district, John Page, PE Tobias Gibson, supernumerary, but in Natchez; 85 w/ 2 col memebers; Moses Floyd appointed pastor in Natchez.

1804
Western Conference, Cumberland District, Lewis Garrett, P.E. John Page had finished three years as P.E. Garrett would serve two years. Elisha Bowman was received into Full Connection (F C) - Natchez, Moses Floyd, Hezekiah Harriman (also Abraham Amos) and Tobias Gibson continued supernumerary.

NOTE: April 5, 1804, Tobias Gibson died in Natchez; (see original Minutes page 334-ff for Journal obituary) Mr. Gibson was buried in the family graveyard (see Jones p. 110) In 1836 a committee named to locate grave and erect monument; twenty years later the old Negro who dug the grave was located, 6 miles south of Vicksburg - on Friday June 28, 1935 the remains and shaft were transferred to the lawn of the Crawford Street Church in Vicksburg and A.J. Martin, monument builder, in charge of the re-burial; Miss Nona Martin, of Martin Marble Works, Monroe, is from this family. Mr. Martin also polished the shaft and inscribed on its reverse side needed corrections.

1805
Western conference, Cumberland District, Lewis Garrett, P.E. Natchez - Learner Blackman, Nathan Barnes. Learner Blackman was the FIRST ITINERANT to come to NE Louisiana in 1806

1806
Western Conference, Mississippi District - Learner Blackman, P.E. During this year in coming to Louisiana to explore the field, Learner Blackman came to Monroe - Washita Post - on 9-2-1806, See Jones. Natchez appointment: Nathan Barnes, Thomas Lasley. This also was the year that Elisha W. Bowman visited New Orleans and Opelousas, so well described by McTyeire’s History of Methodism. Opelousas was spelled Appalousas, in the Attakapas section.

1807
Asbury - Western Conference, Mississippi district: Learner Blackman, P.E. Natchez, Caleb W. Cloud. The conference met the Chillicothe, Ohio. I also find a record that Jacob Young was the P.E. I rather think Learner Blackman, but which? Appalousas, Elisha W. Bowman (2); NOTE: Ochitta, Thomas Lasley (OM p. 395)

1808
Western Conference, Mississippi District. Jacob Young PE (Jones p 215 - Western Conference met at Liberty Hill, Williamson county, Tennessee, Oct. 1808. —-William Winans admitted ON TRIAL. He had served Kentucky and Indiana appointments (OM p 420) Washitaw and Appalousas reported 40 members. Louisiana appointments: Appalousas, James Axley; Washitaw, Anthony Houston Natchez - Richard Browning

1809
Western Conference, Mississippi district, John McClure, P.E. (OM p. 454) Washitaw, Isaac McKowen (OM p 474) ; Appalousas, Benjamin Edge; Washitaw and Appalousas reported 30 memebers.

1810
John McClure, PE. (Jones p 213) Conference met Nov. 1 1810 for 1811 at New Chapel, near Shelbyville, Kentucky.,Bishops Asbury and McKendree present; Appointmetns for 1811: Natchez, Wm. Houston, Miles Harper; Washitaw, Hezekiah Shaw; Appalousas, John Henninger, no memebership change.

1811
Jones p 213 - This was the year of earthquakes, and a comet, and rumors of wars: Western Conference, Mississippi district - Miles Harper, P.E. (OM p. 514-522) Washita, John Jennings; Rapides, Thos. Nelson; Attakapas, William Winans. Natchez and Washington, Isaac Quinn; Wilkerson, Wm. Houston; Natchez Circuit, Sela Paine, F.D. Wimberly; Claiborne, John Henninger; Amite (in Mississippi) Hezekiah Shaw.

1812
Asbury and McKendree attended this Western Conference at Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct 1, 1811 (Jones p 234) 102 preachers, but needed 22 more : This was the last meeting of the Western Conference as it was divided into the Ohio and Tennessee, as authorized by the Genreal Conference (May 1, 1812) at New York, Mississippi district, Samuel Dunwoody, P.E. (but Dr. Harper says Dunwoody remainded in South Carolina). Louisiana appointments: Attakapas, John S. Ford; Rapides, Federick D. Wimberly; Washitaw, Thomas Griffin; New Orleans, Miles Harper. Mississippi: Wilkinson, Sela Paine, Lewis Hobbs; Natchez, John Johnson and Smauel Lewis; Claiborne, John W. Kennon; Tombeckbee, Wm. Houston; and Issac Quinn;

1813
Abury and McKendree attended the Tennessee conference, Fountain Head, Summer county, Tenn., Nov. 12, 1812.
Louisiana District (OM p 602) Miles Harper, PE; Rapides, Thomas Griffin; Attakapas, John S. Ford; Washitaw, Miles Harper. (Jones p. 260) Mississippi district (OM p. 602) Samuel Sellers, PE; Claiborne, John Phipps; Natchez, George A. Colbert; Wilkinson, Wm. Winans and J.I.E. Byrd; Amite; Elisha Lott; Pearl River, Samuel S. Lewis; Tombeckee; New Orleans, Lewis Hobbs.

Nov. 1 1813
At the home of Newt Vick, Jefferson County, Miss. 5 mi SW Fayette. Considered first session of the Mississippi conference. This was (also) 2 miles northwest of Spring Hill church ( was this Washington?) There had been as massacre at Fort Mims, Major Beasley’s force, in which 250 persons had been ruthlessly killed by 700 Choctaw Indians.
Thus, no Bishops could get through because of the Indian Wars. Samuel Sellers presided. Present: Miles Harper, Richmond Nolley, Lewis Hobbs, John S. Ford, John Phipps, John Shrock, William Winans, (sec); Thos. Griffin, J.I.E. Byrd; The Bishops had been authorized to establish an other conference down the Mississippi sot he preachers met to carry out this mandate. The original Mississippi Conference Journal, 6” wide by 7 1/2” long ( to find saddlebags) contains the minutes, 11-1-1813 to 12-6-1837. Miles Harper located ( had he become worn out on the Washitaw?) Admitted O.T. were: Simon Gentry, Jonathon Kemp, Thos. Owens, Peter James, Josiah Daugherty. Mississippi District: Samuel Sellers, PE - Natchez & Claiborne, ,Thos. Griffin; and Simon Gentry, and Lewis Hobbs, sup.; Wilkinson, Elisha Lott, Thos. Owens; Amite, John Phipps; Josiah Daugherty; Pearl River, John S. Ford, and Jonathon Kemp; Tombigbee, John I.E. Byrd, Peter James; New Orleans, Wm. Winans. Louisiana District: —- PE; Rapides, John Shrock; Attakapas, Richmond Nolley; Washitaw not listed; IT is thought that Moses Floyd had left for Prairie Jefferson. But Floyd returned to Mississippi, and there was minister in northeast Louisiana: Washitaw left unsupplied.

Nov. 14 1814
(Jones p 318) at John S. Ford’s, Pearl River, in Marion County, Miss. There is nothing in the General Minutes for this year, but Jones follows the record in the Mississippi Journal. Samuel Sellers presided, Wm. Winans, Thos. Griffin, Thos. A. King, John I.E. Byrd, John Shrock, John S. Ford, Elisha Lott. Meagre Minutes. Appointments J-369-70)
LOUISIANA DISTRICT - Thos. Griffin, PE; Rapides, Elisha Lott; Attakapas, Richmond Nolley, Washitaw, Thomas Griffin.
MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT- Samuel Sellers, PE; Natchez and Claiborne, Thos. A. King; and Gabriel Pickering; Natchez and Washington Station, Roswell Valentine; Wilkinson, Wm. Winans, Peter James; Wiley Ledbetter; Amite; J.I.E. Byrd; Jonathon Kemp; Tombigbee; John S. Ford; Thos. Owens; Pearl River; Elijah Centry. This is the year of Richmond Nolley’s Death (J. p 372) on Nov. 25 1814

1816
Conference was scheduled to meet at Pine Ridge on November 16,1815, and as there is no journal of this conference extant, some suppose it never met; some have thought it was the conference at Pine Ridge on October 10,1816 at the home of William and Rachel Foster, but these suppositions are erroneous. It has been referred to as the “lost” conference, but hte General Minutes contains statistics and appointments: R. John G. Jones supplies the needed answer and information . He found one living witness that the conference was held at Adams Camp Groud in Amite County, at the head waters of Amite River. The Adams, White Felder (p 387) and other families had this camp meeting, the preachers favored it, and had conference. A Mrs. Keziah Rawles was located who had a “joyful recollection”. No Bishop attended. Conference was held in the autumn of 1815 and transcript sent to the Bishop or Secretary of the Tennessee Conference as information for the General Minutes. Elijah Gentry admitted OT - Elected to Deacon’s orders were Peter James, John Ford, Elisha Lott and rec’d in Full Connection- and these went to the Tennessee Conference and were ordained there, at Bethlehem church, Wilson Country, Tennessee, Oct. 20,1815. Thomas Griffin was also ordained elder at this conference. (He had served as Presiding Elder for one year prior to ordination as elder: ) Several (including William Winans) had located because of health, Richmond Nolley had died, and the brethren who had been ordained in the Tennessee Conference took work there: (Note- William Winans had married Miss Martha Dubose. These facts shows why there was a shortage of preachers and Washitaw left unsupplied. All Appointments made at the Camp Metting Conference were in the one Mississippi district; There had come a few transfers, James Dixon, Thomas Nixon, John Menefee, Alex Fleming; and from the South Carolina, Ashley Hewitt and John Lane. Appointments: Mississippi district: Samuel Sellers, P.E.; Claiborne and Natchez, James Dixon and John Lane; Wilkinson, Thomas Nixon; Amite; Elijah Gentry; Pearl River; John Menefee; Tombigbee; Ashley Hewitt and Alexander Fleming; and for LOUISIANA: Rapides, Thomas Owens, Attakapas, Peter James; Washitaw, unsupplied.

1817
Conference met Oct. 10, 1816 at the home of William and Rachel Foster, on Pine Ridge (Jones p 419). The FOSTERS were two of the original eight who had united with the church at the beginning in 1799. (J p 420) the very first time the door of the church waws opened in the Southwest. There was active and liberal members. At the conference, Samuel Sellers presided. Present: Ashley Hewitt, Thos. Nixon, John Lane, John Menefee, Thos. Owens, Peter Jeas, Elijah Gentry, John Menefee was secretary. James Dixon was absent because of bad health, and was at the home of Randall Gibson.
BISHOP ROBERT ROBERTS (his home was in western Pennsylvania) did not arrive as he had a fever and was int eh “Indian” country and was detained for several days. His Arrival marked the occasion when the first a Bishop of the Church attended the Mississippi Conference: All rejoiced: At 2PM Friday October 11th. he took the chair. Finances were meager, Bishop Roberts reported they could draw on the book concern for $200 and on the Chartered Fund for $130, he subscribed $100, Natchez gave $7.75 and Pearl River CT. $31.50, Tombigbee $29.8125 - total $499.0625 which was divided among hte preachers according the their claims
APPOINTMENTS
Mississippi district: Thomas Griffin, PE; Natchez & Claibrone, John Menefee; Wilkinson, John Lane; Amite, Thos. Owens; Pearl River, Peter James; Tombigbee, Elisha Lott; Chickasawahay, Elijah Gentry;
Louisiana District: Ashely Hewitt; PE; Attakapas,Thos. Nixon; Rapides, Alex.Fleming; Washitaw, Ashley Hewitt (JP 450 - McLaughlin, Griffin, Foster, etc. BISHOP ROBERTS remained in area, preaching, for example at Liberty, county seat, Amite County.

1818
Conference met at Midway, November 7, 1817. Bishop McKendree present. John S. Ford was no present, and after conference the Bishop went to his home and ordained him; the Bishop took sick and remained two or three months. The Mississippi district reported 1848w/398c members in sex circuits; Louisiana, 113w/23c members.
APPOINTMENTS
Mississippi District - Samuel Parker, P.E.; Natchez, John Lane and John L. McLendon, Wilkinson, John Seaton, Amite, Thomas Nixon, Pearl River, Miles Harper; New Orleans, Mark Moore, missionary.
Louisiana District - John Nenefee, PE: Attakapas, John Menefee; and Thos. Owens; Washita, John Booth; (where was Ashley Hewitt?) (Rapides?)
Alabama District: Thos. Griffin, PE; Tombigbee, Thos. Griffin, John Murrow; Whitesand, Wiley Ledbetter; Chickasawahay, John Ira E. Byrd

1819
At Washington, Oct 17, 1818 ( J Vol II p 17) It seems that no bishop attended and Ashley Hewitt presided. John Seaton elected elder but no ordained until 1821 conference at washington.
Statistics: Mississippi 1051/257; LA. 151,32; Ala. 968/172.
Louisiana District: John Menefee, PE: Attakapas, John Mene Fee; and Thos. Owens; 68/18; Washita 45/5 John Booth; Rapides?? New Orleans??

1820
Conference met at Washington, Nov 17 1819 - BISHOP GEORGE - Daniel DeVinne received O.T. Statistics: Mississippi district, 1051/257; Louisiana 151/32; Alabama, 968/172. Record appear to vary.
APPOINTMENTS
Louisiana District: Ashley Hewitt, PE; Attakapas and Rapides, Ashley Hewitt and David DeVinne, 80/26; Washitaw, Thomas Owens 61/6.

1821
Conference met at Midway Nov. 17, 1820. Ashley Hewitt, presiding.
Louisiana District: Ashley Hewitt, PE; Attakaps, David DeVinne: Rapides, Thomas Owens; Washitaw, Ashley Hewitt.
Mississippi District: John Lane, PE; Natchez, William Williams; Claiborne; John Seaton; and Ebenezer Hearn; Amite, Miles Harper; Pearl River, John Booth.
Alabama: Thomas Griffin, PE; Catawabadistrict, Thomas Nixon.

1822
Conference met at Washington, Dec 7 1821. Bishop George.
APPOINTMENTS
Louisiana District: Ashley Hewitt, PE: Washitaw, Ashley Hewitt 50/3; Rapides 50/20, and Attakapas 27/16, Henry P. Cook.
Mississippi District: Wm>Winans, PE; Natchez, John Seaton; Claiborne; Ebenezer Hearn; Amite, Daniel DeVinne, Armstrong J. Blackburn; Wilkinson, Miles Harper; Pearl River, Thomas Griffin, Sup. William Alexander.
Alabama District: Nicholas McIntyre, PE; Whitesand, Wiley Ledbetter; Chickasawawhay, Thos. Owens, Edmund Pearson.
Catawba District: John Burruss (of Virginia) PE; Catawba Ct., B. M. Drake; and John Lambert; Franklin, Banabas Pipkin.
Missionary Barnabas Pipkin was appointed to Pensacola and Mobile.

1823
Conference at McRae’s Campground, Chickasawhay, Dec. 5, 1822; William Winans; presiding. Barnabas Pipkin transferred in from South Carolina (he died May 11, 1878, age 82, at his home in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana).
Also, B.M. Drake, born Robinson county, North Carolina, 9-11-1800 whose parents moved to Kentucky in 1820 received O T in Tennessee conference in 1822 and Bishop George sent him to Mississippi, served Natchez, Washington, etc.)
APPOINTMENTS IN LOUISIANA
Louisiana District: Ebenezer Hearn, PE; Attakapas 27/50 and Rapides 22/40, B.M. Drak and Thomas Clinton; Washitaw, 50/3 William A. Alexander.

1824
Conference met at Natchez, Dec. 25 1823 - Bishop Roberts - J.R. Lambuth received F.C., sent to Tombeckbee Ct. ( father of Reverends Robert W. and James Lambuth; James W. Lambuth went to China and Japan) (d. 1892) and was the father of our missionary bishop, BISHOP WALTER RUSSELL LAMBUTH.
Statistics: Louisiana district 156/98; Miss 2089/877; Ala 2000/396; Catawba
Louisiana District: Ebenezer Hearn, PE;
Attakapas, 67/30, Peyton Greaves, Rapides, 28/52, Wm. M. Curtiss; Washitaw, 61.\/16 Elijah B. Mckay; Catahoula, John Cotton; Ashely Hewditt, Supn.

1825
Conference met at Tuscaloosa, Dec. 23 1824 - Bishop Joshua Soule -
Elizabeth Female Academy, Washington, Adams County, Mississippi, established the first chartered institution in the WORLD for the higher education of girls and women - with John C. Burruss president. (I think that Bishop Linus Parkers wife was a daughter of John C Burruss)
Louisiana District: Ashley Hewitt, PE; Attakapas 75/32 J.R. Lambuth Rapides 45/94 J. Westerland; Washitaw 61/21 Thos. C. Brown Catahoula, 11 - unsupplied

1826
Conference met at Washington, December 8, 1826 - BISHOPS ROBERTS AND SOULE
LOUISIANA DISTRICT: Alexander Talley, PE; Attakapas 73/57 John A.T. Hawkins; Rapides 123/104 Wm. V Douglas; Washitaw 285/74 John Cotton; Natchitochers, William Stephenson; Lake Providence, Ashley Hewitt, Supernumerary; (Jones p 64) JP Haney to St. Tammany

1828
Conference met at Natchez, Dec 20,1827 - BISHOP JOSHUA SOULE who preached in the “new brick church” , held conference session in the courthouse.
LOUISIANA DISTRICT: Wm. Stephenson, PE; Attakapas 152/124 Orasmus L. Nash; Lake Providence 9, unsupplied
Louisiana appointments in Washington District, Mississippi Conference: New Orleans 46/120 Wm. M. Curtiss; Feliciana 40 / 250 Wm. V. Douglass and John Matthews.

1830
Conference met at Washington, Dec 17, 1829 - BISHOP ROBERTS presiding.
LOUISIANA DISTRICT: Wm Stephenson, PE; Attakapas 211/140 Wm.M. Turnley; Rapides 209/84 Henry Stephenson; Washitaw 285/115 Jephthah Hughes; Claiborne 209/17 John Bilbo; Little River 247/53 Isaac V. Enochs. Louisiana aptmts. in Washington district, Miss. Conf. : New Orleans 66/135, Wm. M. Curtiss; Felician a 417/267 M. Renneau & Andrew Adams. (Note - General Minutes for this year show that Old St. George’s in Philadelphia had 2664/305 members and 5 preachers assigned!)

1831
Conference met at Tuscaloosa, Nov. 24th 1830, No Bishop in attendance (j 255)
EBENEZER HEARN presided first day, when James. H. Holland named President.
Louisiana District: Wm. Stephenson, PE; Attakapas, Jephthah Hughes and Nathan Drew; Rapides, Wm. H. Turnley; Washitaw, Isaac V. Enochs; Claibornce, Lewis L. (or S.) Turner; Little River, John Bilbo. Louisiana appointments in Washington district: New Orleans, Wm V. Doughlass; Feliciana, T. Clinton; and N.B. Raiford.

1832
Conference met at Woodville, Nov. 30 1831 - Bishop Roberts - (JP 272) Alabama and Mississippi conferences divided, establishing Alabama Conf. ( p 280) The conference met in the Baptist church - 20 preachers were admitted O.T. 13 remained on trial; 9 received into full connection, 15 ordained deacon. Louisiana Appointments: (Note Monroe District)
Louisiana District
W.H. Turnley, PE
Attakapas 198/104 Benjamin A. Haughton
Rapides 178/102 Isaac Applewhite
Sabine 143/73 Preston Cooper
QuelQuesne (Calcasieu) John Bilbo
Monroe District
Wm. Stephenson, PE
Little River, Sam’l Walker, J.C. Stephenson
Lake St. Joseph 144/64 Jos. P. Snead
Lake Providence 98/67 Daniel Sears
Washita 248/103 William Leggett
Claiborne 303/15 Lewis S. Turner

New Orleans District
Barnabas Pipkin, PE
New Orleans 64-162 Orsamus L. Nash
Feliciana 348-131 J. Matthews, A. Gavin
Wilkerson 294-269 Andrew Adams
Amite 453-136 Bevil Tabor
St. Helena Needham B. Raiford
Washington J.B. Higginbotham
Lafourche Mission, B.T. Coxe

1833
Conference met at Vicksburg, Nov. 21, 1832 - BISHOP JAMES O. ANDREW - who arrived late,and Thomas Clinton presided several days. (JP 284) A new circuit, BATON ROUGE, was formed - also Boeuf Prairie (where David M. Wiggins was reared) (and Uriah Whatley had served the Baton Rouge area.) (J. 284) Dr. Harper states the Monroe district was to last 5 years.

LOUISIANA DISTRICT
O.L. Nash , P.E.
Attakapas 100-75 W. Ford, J.G. Parker
Rapides 108-17 Daniel D. Brewer
Sabine 216-73 Jas.P.Stephenson
Beauf Prairie Uriah Whatley
Little River 419-62 Jos. P. Snead
Washita 151-50 S. Walker, J. Bilbo
Claiborne 263-11 E.N. Talley, Wm. Leggett NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, PE
N.O. 61-241 B.M. Drake
Feliciana 542-144 Wm. V. Douglass
Wilkinson 279-260 John. A Cotton
St. Helena 349-82 John Matthews
Washington 405-157 J. Watson, C. Melvin
Lafourche 20-20 D. Sears
Baton Rouge B. Tabor, N. John, O.T. Hawkins

1834
Conference met at Natchez, Nov. 13, 1833, Bishop John B. Emory (JP 300) Lake providence district established to continue several years, reappear 1840.
Louisiana District: O.L. Nash, PE - Franklin, W. Ford;Opelousas, J. Bilbo; Alexandria, J. Applewhite; Sabine 133-80 Hy. Stephenson, U. Whatley; Harrisonburg, Jonas Westerland; Little River, Jos. P. Snead
New Orleans District : Wm Winans, PE; = N.O. 56-138 TBS; Lafayette mission, R.D. Smith; Feliciana 324-216, Barnabas Pipkin, J.G. Parker, Wilkinson 236-154. John C. Burruss, B.G. Pickett; St. Helena 416-78 J.G. Jones; Washington351-85 Jas Applewhite; Lafourche Mission 11-51, E.N. Talley; Baton Rouge 41, J. Matthews; Covington - Madisonville, N.B. Raiford; Missions to Seamen and People of Colour. (Lake Providence District on next page)
Carroll, A.H. Holcomb, Concordia, C.J. Corney; MONROE, J.P. Stephenson; Claiborne 257-17 W. Stephenson, Supply; and J.A. Guice; Lake (little?) River 230-31, Uriah Whatley.

1835
Conference met at Clinton, Miss., Nov. 12 , 1834. William Winans presided as Bishop SOULE unable to attend because of sickness. William Foster died in 1834, left bequest of bank stock to Conference (see J 318 for Texas Mission and J.P. Stephenson at Colonel McMahan’s, with 48 members, organizing first Methodist Church in Texas, September 1834) (See (J.p. 368-369) for Martin Reuter and Texas mission, 1834, Reuter died in 1838
MISS ELIZABETH MCFARLAND OF MONROE was FIRST to join the church in Texas. (J.P. 319) Henry Stephenson had preached in Monroe in 1824 in 1828 in 1830.
(See J.P. p 324 for account of Theresa Cannoe of New Orleans)
No Statistics given this year.

Louisiana District
P. Cooper, P.E.
Opelousas, Uriah Whatley
Alexandria, J.C. Jones
Natchitoches, J.P. Stephenson
Little River, W.H. Turnley
Harrisburg, D.M. Wiggins
MONROE, David Sears
Claiborne, E. Whatley
Texas Mission, Hy. Stephenson New Orleans District
Barnabas Pipkin, P.E.
New Orleans , J.C. Burruss
Upper Fauxbourg and Lafayette Mission, Alex. Talley for 6 months
Mission People of Colour, N.O. – S.L.L. Scott
Covington – Madisonville, N.B. Raiford
Baton Rouge, C.K. Marshall
Washington Ct., J. Watson
St. Helena, TBS
Feliciana, T. Clinton
Wilkinson, Wm. Winans,supply; W. Langarl
Lafourche, E.N. Talley

1836
Conference met at Woodville,
November 25, 1835 – Bishop Soule presiding
This conference entered into the plan to transfer Louisiana appointments west of the Mississippi River to the Arkansas conference, hence these appointments were in Arkansas for the quadrennium 1836-1840. There were two districts: Alexandria and Monroe.
(Note in Jones: p 339 – also p 340 Alex.Talley; p 346 slavery; p348 – Gravier and Pydras street churches, New Orleans

ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
W.H. Turnley, PE
Opelousas, L. Pearce
Alexandria, B. Jones
Natchitoches, J.M. Intosh
Little River, J.A. Guice
Harrisonburg, S.Squires
MONROE, J.A. COTTON
Claiborne, W.B. Scott
Franklin, TBS
NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT
arnabas Pipkin, PE
N. O. Upper Fauxbourg & Lafayette missions, J. Travis and S.B. Sawyer
Book Agent, W.C. Curtiss
Baton Rouge, C.K. Marshall
Covington – Madisonville, J. Lee
Wilkinson, E.N. Talley
Feliciana, R. Angell
St. Helena, T. Clinton, W. Langarl
Washington, C. Methvin, W.H.B. Lane
Lafourche, TBS

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LOUISIANA APPOINTMENTS IN ARKANSAS CONFERENCE

1836-37

Alexandria District W.H. Turnley, P.E.
Alexandria Richmond Randle
Cheneyville To Be Supplied
Opelousas Winfrey B. Scott
Franklin and Newtown John N. Hamill
Lower Vormillion John R. McIntosh
Natchitoches Jesse A. Guice, Wm. Stevenson, sup.
Little River To be supplied
Harrisonburg To be supplied
Monroe District John A. Cotton, P.E.
Monroe Circuit Benjamin Jones
Claiborne Sidney Squires
Marouge African Mission John A. Cotton

1837-1838

Alexandria District Richmond Randle, P.E.
Alexandria, Cotile, and Calcasiew W.B. Scott
Cheneyville Lewis C. Props
Opelousas Henry B. Price
Franklin and Newtown William H. Bump
Natchitoches John R. McIntosh
Monroe District J.N. Hamill P.E.
Monroe Uriah Whatley
Claiborne Thomas Benn
Little River Sidney Squires
Trinity Geo. W. Turnley
Harrisonburg A. W. Simmons

1838-1839

Alexandria District R. Randle P.E.
Opelousas Benjamin Jones
Rapides Enoch Whatley
Natchidoches Henry B. Price
Franklin and Newtown John Powell
Caddeau Mission William Stephenson
Monroe District J.N. Hamill P.E.
Monroe Sidney Squires
Claiborne David Fellows
Washataw E.B. Duncan
Little River B.C. Weir
Harrisonburg Uriah Whatley
Trinity Samuel Walker
Mason Hills Mission To be Supplied

1839-40

Alexandria District R. Randle P.E.
Opelousas Benjamin Jones
Claiborne Uriah Whatley, Solomon Holford
Natchitoches H.B. Price
Cheneyville John Powell
Franklin and Newton James L. Newman
Caddo B.C. Weir
Vermillion To be Supplied
Monroe District J.N. Hamill P.E.
Monroe Cotman Methvin
Rapides Wm. Stephenson
Little River E.W. Yancey

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1837
Mississippi Conference at Vicksburg, Dec. 7 1836 – BISHOP THOMAS A. MORRIS
Arkansas Conference at Batesville
Note-need to obtain these which involve Louisiana

From Mississippi conference record:
New Orleans District
Barnabas Pipkin, PE
New Orleans and missions 113-120 Samuel W. Spear
Baton Rouge 95-8 Elias B. Porter
Lafourche 34-14 TBS
Feliciana 272-118 Wilkinson 153-110 – Wm. H. Watkins, R.A. Stewart
Sandy Creek TBS
St. Helena 289-57 EN Talley
Springfield TBS
Covington 121-125 Richard Angell
Washington 182-47 James McDonald

1838
Mississippi conference met at Natchez, Dec 6, 1837 – Bishop James O. Andrew

New Orleans District
Wm. Winans P.E.
Lafayette Mission, E.N. Talley
New Orleans, Jefferson Hamilton
Baton Rouge, Samuel L. Scott
Feliciana & Wilkinson, Wm. Langarl, Wm. H. Watkins

GREENSBURG DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, PE
Sandy Creek, Jos. P. Snead
St. Helena, Matthew Ramsay
Washington, David M. Wiggins

ARKANSAS Conference met: ?
ARKANSAS DISTRICT
J.C. Parker, P.E.
Washita, Enoch Whatley
Chicot, James E. Groce
Bartholomew, Fountain Brown
Helena, Jas. S. Newman
Franklin, John Powell
Marion, Alex Avery

ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
Richmond Randle, P.E.
Alexandria – Cotile- Calcasieu - W.B. Scott
Chenyville, L.C. Props
Opelausas, Hy. B Price
Franklin & Newton, Wm.H.Rump
Natchitoches, John R. M’Intosh

MONROE DISTRICT
J.N. Hammill, P.E.
Claiborne Thos. Benn
Little River, Sidney Squires
Trinity, J.W. Turnley
Harrisonburg, A.W. Simmons

1839
Mississippi conference at Grenada, Dec 5 1838. Bishop Morris delayed,
John Harrell presided. Note baton Rouge and Natchez districts. (JP 399)
BATON ROUGE DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, PE Natchez District
Baton Rouge, E.N. talley Wm. Winans, PE
Covington, D.M. Wiggins Feliciana, W. Langarl
St. Helena, J.C. Fenton, B. Benton New Orleans, L. Campbell, Wm.H Watkins
Amite, Jesse Ginn
Pearl River, Isaac C. Foster
Pearlington, A.S. Parker
NATCHEZ DISTRICT
Wm.Winans, P.E.
Feliciana, W. Langarl
New Orleans, L. Campbell, Wm.H.Watkind

Arkansas conference at Washington, Ark ( a few miles North of Hope, Ark.)

November 7, 1838
Note: Alexandria and Monroe districts

ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
Robert Randle, PE
Opelousas, Benj. Jones
Rapides, Enoch Whatley
Natchitoches, Hy. B. Price
Franklin, John Powell
Caddeau Mission, Wm. Stephenson MONROE DISTRICT
J.N. Hammill, P.E.
Claiborne, David Fellows
Washataw, E.B. Duncan
Little River, B.C. Wier
Harrisonburg, Uriah Whatley
Trinity, Samuel Walker

1840
Mississippi conference at Natchez Dec 4, 1839- BISHOP James. O. Andrew
Note: Louisiana Territory in Arkansas planned to return to Mississippi

BATON ROUGE DISTRICT PROVIDENCE DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, P.E. B.A. Haughton, P.E.
B.R. and Sandy Creek, Providence, G. Spence
-S.L.L. Scott & B. Benton Lake Washington, J. Saunders
St. Helena, D.M. Wiggins Bolivar, A. Day
Amite, J.H. Davidson Bayou Mission, D. Dealy
Pearl River, TBS Covington, A.S.J. Parker, And Henry Avery

It appears that Monroe and Washitaw are omitted – check.

1841
Mississippi Conference at Vicksburg Dec 2 (4?) 1840
BISHOP ANDREW delayed – John Lane presided ( j.p. 440)

NATCHEZ DISTRICT ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
Wm. Winans, PE R. Randle, PE
Included: Franklin John Powell
Poydras st. , N.O. Elijah Steele Opelousas, R.W. Kennon
Spain St. NO. Wm. H Watkins Chicot, H.H. Shropshire
Feliciana TBS Alexandria, W.F. Brown
Little River, S.G. Simpson, S. Walters
Trinity, Green Y. M’Nabb
Harrisonburg, H. Avery
BATON ROUGE DISTRICT MONROE DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, PE Monroe, C, Nethvin, A.H. Whitney
Baton Rouge, S.W. Spear Derbone, S.W. Hawkins
Sandy Creek, J.H. Davidson Minden, Thos. Berne
Covington, J.C. Findley and B.c. Steagall Natchitoches, Joel Sanders
St. Helena, J.B. Higgonbotham Caddo, R.R. Gill
Amite, D. Legett
Pearl River, E. Phillips

1842
Conference met at Poydras Street Church, New Orleans, Nov. 24th 1841. It was the first time many of the itinerants had seen so large a city. NOTE- Elijah steel was a pointed in a 1841 to Poydras st. (for 1842) died of yellow fever Sept . 10 , 1842, buried Cypress. Grove cemetery. Between 800 and 1000 persons attended his funeral. (JP p 452) ALSO, about this time 17 discourses of William Winans were published 1855 by Nashville Pub. House, Stevanson and Own publishers.) by Nashville Pub. House, Stevanson and Owan Publishers)

QUESTION: Was this conference held 1-24-1841 or 12-2-1841? Dates conflict

NATCHEZ CONFLICT PROVIDENCE CONFLICT
Wm. Winans, PE Wm. G. Gould, PE
Baton Rouge, Hy. B. Price Lake Washington, Jas. Maclennon
Lafourche, John Powell Bolivar, Daniel Leggett
N.O. Poydras, TBS Providence, Lysander Wiley
Spain St. , Wm. H Watkins Bayou Mason, J.J. Jones, Cyprian Gridley
Lafayette, Wm. Langarl Vidalia, Gabriel F. Spencer
COVINGTON DISTRICT ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, P.E. Wm.G. Gould, P.E.
Feliciana, A.T. Simmons Franklin, P.H. Dieffenwierth
Sandy Creek, B.J. Steagall Opelousas, E.R. Strickland
Covington, John H. Davidson Chicot, A.M. Whitney
St. Helena, A.S. Parker Alexandria, Wm. F. Brown
Amite, J.J. Robinson Little River, Cotman Methvin, Jas. H. States
Pearl River, Green Y. Mnabb Trinity, Thos. Benn
Harrisonburg, Samuel Walker

MONROE DISTRICT
David M. Wiggins, P.E.
Monroe 166-46 Edwin Phillips, John B. Edins
Derbone, Henry Avery
Minden 90-9 H.H. Shropshire
Natchitoches, Richard Overby
Natchitoches Mission, Solomon C. Simkin
Caddo, Joel Saunders

1843
Mississippi Conference met at Jackson, Miss., 12-23-1842 (or 11-30-1842)? (see J. p 463)
NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT
Wm. Winans, P.E.
Poydras, Wm. R. Nicholson
Lafayette, Wm. Langarl
Moreau St., Wm. H. Watkins
Duvergeburg, F.P. Nixon
Carrollton, TBS
Lafourche, John Powell, PM Godwin
Plaquemine, P.H. Deiffenwierth

Included in:
VICKSBURG DISTRICT
Providence, Richard Overby, J.E. Patten
Lake Washington, H.B. Price, J.R. Merrill
BATON ROUGE DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, P.E.
Baton Rouge, T.B. Craighead
Sandy Creek, Thos. Price
St. Helena, A. Day
Covington, H.J. Harris
Feliciana, D. Dealy
Point Coupee, J.H. Davidson
MONROE DISTRICT
D.M. Wiggins, P.E.
Washita, A. Sutherland
Darbone, B.C. Steagall
Minden, L. Wiley
Red River, J.B. Edins
Natchitoches, W. Hinds
Caddo, Joel Saunders
ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
W.G. Gould, PE
Franklin, R.W. Kennon
Opelousas, TBS
Chicot, E. R. Strickland, J.H. Stokes
Alexandria, F. Matthes
Little River, J.J. Weems
Harrisonburg, E. Ellinger
Trinity, D.A.J. Parker

1844
Mississippi Conference met at Woodville, Nov 29th 1943
BISHOPS SOULE AND ANDREW were present (see J. P. 482)

ELECTED TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1844 TO MEET IN NEW YORK
Were: WILLIAM WINANS, BENJAMIN M. DRAKE, JOHN LANE, GREEN ROGERS

NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT
Wm. Winans, PE
Poydras St. 145- Wm. R. Nicholson
Lafayette 120- Henry Avery
Moreau St. 117 – Wm. H. Watkins
Carrollton 28 – TBS
German Mission 33 – Chas. Bremar
Lafourche 29 – H.B. Price, S.J. Davies
Plaquemines 38- P.H. Dieffenweirth

In Vicksburg District
Leavell Campbell , PE
Providence 88 – Richard Overby, Alex G. Payne
Lake Washington 66 – Wm. H. Crenshaw, John Titcomb

BATON ROUGE DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, PE
Baton Rouge 81 – S.G. Simmons
Sandy Creek 255 – R.R. Gill
St. Helena 367 – Andrew Day
Covington 309 – Thos Price, Malachi, DuBose
Feliciana 228 – D. Dealy, Jas. H. Muse

MONROE DISTRICT
David M. Wiggins, PE
Monroe 165- Alexander Sutherland
Ouachita 180 – Cyprian Gridley
Debbone 300 – T.C. Lewis
Minden 151 – Wm. Hinds
Red River 129 – John B. Edins
Natchitoches 233 – Joel Saunders
Caddo 140 – Philo M. Goodwin, John Pipes

ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
Wm. G. Gould, PE
Franklin 52- Thos. B. Caighead
Opelousas 22 – Calvin A. Frazee, Jos. H. Stokes
Chicot 201 – David Kinnear, F.P. Nixon
Alexandria 86 – Robt. W. Kennon
Haw Creek J. Weems
Harrisonburg 30 – G.F. Spence

1845 Mississippi Conference met at PORT GIBSON, December 11, 1844 BISHOP E.S. JANES PRESIDED. The separation of the church North and SOUTH having been authorized at G.C. of 1844 in New York, the following delegates were elected to represent the conference at the LOUISVILLE CONVENTION for the organization of the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH : William Winans, John Lane, John G. Jones, Samuel W. Spears, B.M. Drake, Green M. Rogers, David O.Shattuck, Lewll Campbell, (Wm.H. watkins, alternate attended in place of John Lane)
APPOINTMENTS OF 1845
NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT
Wm. Winans, PE
Poydras, Wm. Nicholson
Lafayette, Henry Avery
Moreau St. , Wm. H. Watkins
New Basin, L. Wiley
Carrollton, L.A. Read
LaFourche, H.B. Price, J.W. Jenkins
Placequemine, S.J. Davies
IN VICKSBURG DISTRICT
Lewell Campbell, PE
Providence, WB Harper
Lake Washington, Wm H. Crenshaw, Cyprian Gridley

BATON ROUGE DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, PE
Baton Rouge, Philip Dieffenweirth
Sandy Creek, Jas. H. Merrill
St. Helena, H.H. Shropshire
Feliciana, Thos. Clinton
Bayou Sara, John B. Eddins
Amite, J.H. Davidson, S. Hyde

PEARL RIVER DISTRICT
D.M. Wiggins, PE
Covington, D. Dealy
Franklinton, Andrew Day

MONROE DISTRICT
J.N. Hammil, PE
Columbia, J.J. Weems
Ouachita, Jas. Y. Griffin
Dearbonne, Joel Saunders
Minden, Richmond Randle
Red River, W.B. Scott
Natchitoches, Richard Overby
Caddo, W. Hines and F.A. Nixon
Trinity, TBS
Harrisonburg, S. Simpkins

ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
W.G. Gould, PE
Franklin, TBS
Alexandria, TBS
Opelousas, CA Frazee
Alexandria colored charge, R.W. Kennon
Haw Creek, Moses Davis
Calcasieu, R.R. Gill
New Town and Lafayette, W.F. Brown
Plaqcula, J.H. Stokes
Atchafalaya, D.F. Lewis

1846
Mississippi Conference met for the last time with the Louisiana at Poydras Street Church, New Orleans, December 10, 1845. WILLIAM WINANS PRESIDED UNTIL BISHOP JOSHUA SOULE ARRIVED (See Jones p.545 for statement regarding division of the conference). The General Conference of the M.E. Church, South, to meet at Petersburg, Va., was expected to authorize this separation into two conferences, and accordingly give Louisiana Districts were set up. NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT
Squire W.D. Chase, P.E.
Poydras Station, Wm. R. Nicholson
Lafayette, Thomas Price
Lafayette colored mission, L.A. Read
Moreau Street, Wm. H. Watkins
New Basin, Lysander Wiley
Magazine and Gretna, William Hinds
Seaman's Bethel, W. Whitehall
Carrollton, H.B. Page
German Mission, Charles Bremer
First Municipality, Reynolds Trippett

BATON ROUGE DISTRICT
Barnabas Pipkin, P.E.
Baton Rouge, Wm. H. Crenshaw
Bayou Sara, P.M. Goodwin
Amite, John C. Johnson
Feliciana, Thos. Clinton, John Pipes
Feliciana colored mission, J.B. Higginbottom
Covington, Henry T. Jones, Jesse Les
St. Helena, John A. Davidson
IN NATCHEZ DISTRICT
B.M. Drake, P.E.
Vidalia, H.J. Harris
Tensas, Hy. B. Price, Byron Benton

IN VICKSBURG DISTRICT
Lewis Campbell, P.E.
Providence, Wm. B. Harper
Lake Washington, John Lusk, Paul Seig
MONROE DISTRICT
John N. Hamil, P.E.
Washita colored mission, R.M. Crowson
Washita, Edw. F. Thwing
Darbonne, T B S
Minden, Richmond Randle
Caddo, Wm. H. Turnley
Caddo colored mission, T.C. Lewis
Natchitoches, John B. Eddins, David S.
Watkins
Red River, J.J. Weems
ATTAKAPAS DISTRICT
John Powell, P.E.
Opelousas, Robt. H. Read
Washington, W.W. Jenkins
Franklin, one to be supplied & Simeon Waters
Plaquemine, Chas. J. Hallberg
Calcasieu, Robert R. Gill

DISTRICT STATISTICS

New Orleans 1072 w - 1200 c
Monroe 1679 w - 771 c
Alexandria 1191 w - 872 c
Baton Rouge 1390 w - 767 c
TOTAL 4262 w - 3610 c

1847
THE FIRST SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA CONFERENCE MET AT OPELOUSAS, LA.
January 6, 1847 BISHOP JOSHUA SOULE, PRESIDING

NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT
Squire W.D. Chase, PE
Poydras, Joseph Cross
Lafayette, L.A. Read
Carrollton, TBS
Steele Chapel, Richard Deering
Triton Walk, Wm. Hinds
Soule Chapel, S. J. Davies
Bethel, Reynolds Trippett
Moreau St., Chas P. Clark
Devergeburg – Gretna, Cyprian Gridley
Wesley Chapel, TBS
German Mission, Chas. Bremer

OPELOUSAS DISTRICT
John Powell, PE
Opelousas, Gad. S. Gilbert
Franklin, TBS
Lafourche Mission, P.M. Godwin & T.J. Lacey
Houma, Bayou black , Chas. J. Hallberg
Placquemines, Hy. B. Price
Baton Rouge, Wm. H. Crenshaw
Atchafalaya, John N. Titcomb
Chicot, Robt. H. Read
Preston’s Plantation, Wm. R Gober
New Town, W.W. Jenkins
Opelousas colored, David Kinnear

ALEXANDRIA DISTRICT
Wm. F. Brown, PE
Alexandria, J.W. Harmon
Alex.col.mission, TBS
Natchitoches, John N. Hamil
And Zacca Thompson
Red River, Richard N. Crowson
Caddo, R.J. Harp, H.B. Page
Minden, Wm. Stephenson, Alex. E. Goodwyn
Mansfield, D.S. Watkins
Calcasieu, R.R. Gill
Haw Creek, Uriah Whatley
MONROE DISTRICT
Richmond Randle, PE
Farmerville, Fred P. Nixon
Washita, John J. Weems
Darbonne, J.B. Eddins
Boeuf Prairie, Thos. C. Lewis
Columbia, Ed. F. Thwing
Trinity, Moses Davis
VIDALIA DISTRICT
Wm. H. Turnley, PE
Vidalia, Wm. C. Chamberlin
Tensas and Col.mission,
P.H. Dieffenweirth and Byron Benton
Richmond, Christopher C. Preston
Lake Providence, Henry Avery
Madison col.mission, Jesse A. Guice
Vidalia col.mission, TBS
President Centenary College, David O.
Shattuck

DISTRICT STATISTICS
||N.O. ||1308w 1470c
||Monroe || 1711w 717c
||Alex || 883w 363c
||Attak || 363w 259c
||Other || 440w 520c
||TOTAL|| 4715w 3329c
Preachers: 57
Total: 8101
Gain of 227 in the past year

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PART II

In this section I have attempted to list the appointments to the WASHITAW area, mentioning occasionally outstanding names and events, and trying to keep track of various Conferences and Districts in which this Area found itself.

There are some discrepancies, I am sure, some due to my making mistakes, other due to variety of spellings, and also a mix-up in dates.

Conferences were usually held late in a year and as a general thing, appointments for the following calendar year made.

The development of Methodism on the whole was from a circuit to a district, and from a district as it grew into a Conference.

I find in looking prior to 1799 that many of the men the bishops sent to the southwest were persons of ministerial statue. They had served as Presiding Elders of Districts and in important posts prior to being assigned to our missionary territory.

I have a number of books which have been published concerning conference and local church history, and these are helpful.

We truly should appreciate the heroism and sacrifice, the faithfulness and the faith of these men who laid the foundations of our Methodism, and the question is not that we match it (somewhat impossible in this day of great affluence) but we can preserve it.

-H.L. Johns

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The Early Methodist Circuit Riders and Those Who Followed Them Into The "Washitaw" Area — And To Monroe The Natchez Mission (South Carolina)

1799-1801
Bishop Asbury Georgia District – Stith Mead,PE Natchez – Tobias Gibson

1801-1802
Bishop Asbury WESTERN CONFERENCE. KY DISTRICTNatchez- Tobias Gibson

1803-1804
Asbury Western Conference, Cumberland District Natchez – Moses Floyd
John Page, PE Tobias Gibson, Supernumerary

1804-1805
Lewis Garrett, PE Natchez – Moses Floyd
-Hezekiah Harriman
- Abraham Amos

1805-1806
Lewis Garrett, PE Natchez – Learner Blackman
and Nathan Barnes

(Note- In this year Elisha W. Bowman visited New Orleans & Opelousas)
(Also in this year Learner Blackman traveled in the “Washita” country and CAME TO “WASHITA POST” AND MONROE ON SEPT 2, 1806 AND was thus THE FIRST ITINERANT TO VISIT NORTHERN LOUISIANA)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1806-1807
MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT
Learner Blackman, PE Natchez – Nathan Barnes and Thomas Lasley
Appalousas – Elisha W. Bowman

1807-1808
“FIRST APPOINTMENT TO “WASHITAW”
Learner Blackman ,PE OCHITTO – Thomas Lasley
Natchez – Caleb W. Cloud
Appalousas – Elisha W. Bowman

1808 - 1809
Asbury, conf. At Joseph Young, PE Washitaw – Anthony Houston
Liberty Hill, Tenn. Appalousas, James Axley

1809 - 1810
John McClure, PE Washitaw – Isaac McKowen
Appalousas – Benjamin Edge

1810 - 1811
Miles Harper, PE Washitaw – John Jennings
Attakapas – William Winans
Rapides – Thomas Nelson

1811 - 1812
Conf. @ Cincinnati, Ohio Oct. 1811 Samuel Dunwoody, PE Washitaw – Thos. Griffin
(Dr. Harper states that Dunwoody Attakapas – John S. Ford did not serve but returned
to Rapides – F.D. Wimberly South Carolina) N.O. — Miles Harper

1812 - 1813
Conf. At Fountainhead, Tenn Miles Harper, PE Washita – Miles Harper
Nov 12 1812 Asbury & McKendree Tennessee Conference Attakapas – John S. Ford
Louisiana District Rapides – Thos. Griffin
Note – In Miss. District: N.O. – Lewis Hobbs; Tombeckbee – Richmond Nolley

1813 - 1814
No bishop Attended FIRST MEETING OF THE MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE
Samuel Sellers Presided at the home of Newt Vick Samuel Sellers, PE
Washitaw – Not Listen
Rapides – John Shrock
Attakapas – Richmond Nolley
In this Mississippi District – N.O. – William Winans

1814 - 1815
Nov 14 1814 Mississippi Conference 2
John S. Ford Louisiana District Washitaw – Thos. Griffin
on Pearl River in Thomas Griffin Attakapas – Elisha Lott
Marion County, Miss Samuel Sellers , PE Rapides – Richmond Nolley
On November 25, 1814 Richmond Nolley died enroute to his appointment

Mississippi Conference 3

1815 - 1816
Conf. Autumn 1815 Louisiana District Washitaw unsupplied
at Adams Campground Omitted Attakapas – Peter James
Headwaters Amite Mississippi District Rapides – Thomas Owens
River, Amite, Co. Samuel Sellers PE
Miss – No bishop

  • Great Shortage of Preachers this year

Mississippi Conference 4

1816 - 1817
Conf. At home of Louisiana District Washitaw – Ashley Hewitt
William & Rachel Ashley Hewitt, PE Attakapas – Thos. Nixon
Foster – Pine Ridge on Rapides – Alexander Fleming
October 10 1816

Mississippi Conference 5

1817 -1818 Conference Louisiana District Washitaw – John Booth
at Midway John Menefee PE Attakapas – John Menefee and
Nov. 7 1817 Thomas Owens, Rapides
N.O. Mark Moore

Mississippi Conference 6

1818 - 1819
Conf. At Louisiana District Washitaw – John Booth
Washington John Menefee PE Attakapas – John Menefee and Thos. Owens
Oct. 17 1818 — Ashley Hewitt, Rapides — Presided

Mississippi Conference 7

1819 - 1820
Conf @ Washington Louisiana District Washitaw – Thos. Owens
Mississippi Ashley Hewitt, PE Attakapas and Rapides
Nov. 17th 1819 Ashley Hewitt and David
Bishop Enochs George Devinne

Mississippi Conference 8

1820
Conference at Midway Louisiana District Washitaw – Ashley Hewitt
1821 Nov. 17th 1820 Ashely Hewitt PE Attakapas–David Devinne
Ashley Hewitt Presided Rapides – Thos. Owens

Mississippi Conference 9

1821 - 1822
Conference at Washington Louisiana District Washitaw – Ashley Hewitt
December 7 , 1821 Ashley Hewitt, PE Attakapas & Rapides-
Bishop Enoch George Henry P. Cook
***A missionary was appointed to Pensacola and Mobile

Mississippi Conference 10

1822 - 1823
Conference at McRae’s Campground Louisiana District Washitaw – Wm. Alexander
Chicasawhay Ebenezer Hearn PE Attakapas & Rapides - Williams Winans Presided
Benj. M. Drake And Thos. Clinton

Mississippi Conference 11

1823 - 1824
Conf. At Natchez Louisiana District Washitaw – Elijah b. McKay
Dec. 25, 1823 Ebenezer Hearn PE Attakapas – Peyton S. Greaves
Bishop Roberts Rapides – Wm. M. Curtiss
Catahouls – John Cotton Ashley Hewitt – Supernumerary
(Note – J.R. Lambuth rec’d F.C. appointed Tombeckbee – he was the father of R.W. & Lambuth, and grandfather of BISHOP WALTER RUSSELL LAMBUTH)

Mississippi Conference 12

1824 - 1825 Conference at Tuscaloosa LA District Washitaw – Thomas C. Brown
December 23rd 1825 Ashley Hewitt, PE Attakapas – JR Lambuth
BISHOP JOSHUA SOULE Rapides – J. Westerland; Catahoula unsupplied
NOTE – This year, founded Elizabeth Demale Academy John Burruss, President

Mississippi Conference 13

1825 - 1826
Conference at Washington Louisiana District Washitaw- John G Jones
December 8th 1825 Alexander Talley, PE Attakapas-Robt. L Walker
BISHOPS ROBERTS & SOULE Rapides–Jonas Westerland
N.O. Mission-Benj.Drake

Mississippi Conference 14

1826 - 1827
Conference at Tuscaloosa Louisiana District Washitaw – John Cotton
December 14 1826 Alexander Talley Attakapas – John A.T hawkins
Rapides – Wm.V. Douglass
Natchitoches – Wm/Stephenson
Lake Prov. – Ashely Hewitt ,Supply
St. Tammany – JP Haney

Mississippi Conference 15

1827 - 1828
Conf. At Natchez Louisiana District Washitaw – Richard H. Herbert
December 20 1827 Wm. Stephenson, PE Attakapas – O.L. Nash
BISHOP SOULE Rapides – Wm.V. Doughlass
Natchitoches – Wm. Leggett
Lake Prov. – Ashley Hewitty, Supp

Mississippi Conference 16

1828 - 1829
Conf. At Tuscaloosa Louisiana District Washitaw – Francis . McWilliams
December 25th 1828 Wm. Stephenson, PE Attakapas- OL Nash
BISHOP SOULE Rapides – Wm. H. Turnley Lake Provd.- Unsupplied
In Miss. Appointments: N.O. Wm. M. Curtis
Feliciana, Wm. V. Doughlass and John Matthews

Mississippi Conference 17

1829 - 1830
Conf. At Washington Louisiana District Washitaw – Jephthah Hughes
December 17 1829 Wm. Stephenson, PE Attakapas – Wm.H. Turnley
Bishop Roberts Rapides – Henry Stephenson
Claiborne – John Bilbo
Little River – Isaac V. Enochs
Other Lousiana Appoints in Miss. Conf.:
N.O. Wm.M. Curtiss – Feliciana, M. Renneau and Andrew Adams

Mississippi Conference 18

1830 - 1831
Conf. @ Tuscaloosa Louisiana District Washitaw – Isaac Enochs
Nov. 24th 1830 Wm. Stephenson, PE Attakapas – Jephthah Hughes
Ebenezer Hearn and Jas. Holland, and Matthew Drew Presided
Rapides – Wm.H. Turnley
Claiborne – L.S. Turner
Little River – John Bilbo
In Mississippi appointments: N.O. – Wm. V. Douglass
Feliciana —— T. Clinton and N.B. Raiford

1832
FIRST MENTION OF MONROE DISTRICT

Mississippi Conference 19

1831 - 1832
Conf. At Woodville Louisiana District Washitaw – Wm.Leggett
November 30, 1831 Louisiana – Wm.H. Turnley Little River –Saml Walker
BISHOP ROBERTS New Orleans – Barnabas Pipkin and J.C. Stephenson
Monroe – Wm. Stephenson Lake St.Joseph-Jas. P. Snead
L. Prov. Daniel Sears
Claiborne – Lewis S. Turner

Mississippi Conference 20

1832 - 1833
Conf at Vicksburg 2 Districts in Louisiana Washitaw – S. Walker, J. Bilbo
Nov. 21 1832 LA – O.L. Nash Lake Prov – Jos. P Snead
Thos. Clinton presided N.O. – Barnabas Pipkin Boeuf Prairie – Uriah Whatley
Until BISHOP JAS. O. Andrew Sabine – Jas. P. Stephenson
Arrived N.O. – BM Drake Attakapas- W. Ford, J.G. Parker
A New Circuit – Baton Rouge Rapides – Daniel D. Brewer
B. Tabor Claiborne- E.N. Talley and Wm. Leggett
FIRST MENTION OF MONROE AS AN APPOINTMENT

Mississippi Conference 21

1833 - 1834
Conf. At Natchez La. Dist – O.L. Nash PE
Nov. 13, 1833 N.O. Dist – Wm. Winanas, PE
BISHOP JOHN B. EMORY Lake Prov. Dist. —————- Monroe- J.P. Stephenson
Carroll – A.H. Holcomb
Concordia – C.J. Corney
Claiborne- W.S. Stephenson And J.A. Guice
Little River – Uriah Whatley

Mississippi Conference 22

1834 - 1835
Conf. At Clinton, Miss Louisiana District Monroe- David Sears
Nov. 12, 1834 P. Cooper, PE Opelousas – Uriah Whatley
Wm. Winans presided Alexandria – J.C. Jones
Bishop Soule-Sick Natchitoches- J.P. Stephenson
Little River- Wm.H. Turnley
Harrisonburg – D.W. Higgins
Claiborne- Uriah Whatley
TEXAS MISSION- Henry Stephenson

Mississippi Conference 23

1835 - 1836
Conf. At Woodville In 1836 began 4 year quadrennium Monroe in the Alexandria
Nov. 25th 1835 of LA appointments west of the Dist. W.H. Turnley, PE
BISHOP SOULE Miss. River in the Arkansas Conf. Monroe- J.A. Cotton

Mississippi Conference 24

1836 - 1837
Miss Conf at Vicksburg N.O. District in Miss. Conf.
Dec. 7th 1836 BISHOP Thos.A. Morris NEED TO FIND DATA

Mississippi Conference 25

1837 - 1838
Conf. At Grenada B.R. District – Natchez District
12-5-38 Barnabas Wm. Winans Pipkin PE – PE

The Arkansas Conference

Conf. at Washington Alexandria Dist. – R. Randle PE Monroe- Sidney Squires
Ark. Nov. 7th 1838 Monroe ——- J.N. Hammill, PE Claiborne – David Fellows
Washitaw – S.B. Duncan
Lake Providence – BC Wier
Harrisonburg – Uriah Whatley
Trinity – Samuel walker

Mississippi Conference 26

1838
Conf. at Natchez Arkansas Conference
1840-41 December 24 1839 NEED DATA BISHOP ANDREW
***Mississippi Conference appears to have BR and PROV districts – Washitaw unlisted
NEED FULL DATA for this year

Mississippi Conference 26

1840 - 1842
Conf. at Vicksburg MONROE DISTRICT MONROE- C. Methvin and
Dec. 2 1840 D.M. Wiggins, PE A.M. Whitney
BISHOP ANDREW B.R. Dist – Barnabas Pipkin PE Derbone – S.W. Hankins
Alexandria – R. Randle PE Minden – Thos. Berne
New Orleans in Natchez Dist Natchitoches – Joel Saunders
Elijap Steele to Poydras St. soon died yellow fever Caddo – RR Gill

Mississippi Conference 27

1841 - 1842
Conf. met at Poydras St. NO Natchez District – Wm. Winans MONROE- Edwin Phillips and
November 24 1841 Covington – B. Pipkin John B. Eddins
Prov.Dist. – Wm. Gould Derbone – Henry Avery
Minden – H. H. Shropshire
MONROE DIST Natchitoches – Richard Overly
D.M. Wiggins, P.E. Natchitoches Mission - Solomon C. Simkin
Caddo – Joel Saunders

Mississippi District 28

1842 - 1843
Conf. met at Jackson 4 La. Districts MONROE- H.H. Shropshire
Nov. 30 or Dec. 23rd 1842 Washita – A. Sutherland
MONROE Derbone – B.C. Steagall
D.M. Wiggins, P.E. Minden – L. Wiley
Red River – J.B. Eddins
Natchitoches – Joel Saunders
Caddo – P.M. Goodwyn and John Pipes

Mississippi District 29

1843 - 1844
Conf. at Woodville LA. Appointments in Vicksburg MONROE- Alex Sutherland
Nov. 29th 1943 NO – BR – Alex and Ouachita – Cyprian Grigsby
BISHOPS SOULE AND ANDREW MONROE DISTRICT Darbone – T.C. Lewis
D.M. Wiggins, PE Minden – Wm. Hinds
Red River – J.B. Eddins
Natchitoches – Joel Saunders
Caddo – P.M. Goodwyn And John Pipes

Mississippi District 30 Columbia – J.J. Weems

1844 - 1845
Conf. at Port Gibson La. Appointments in Vicksburg MONROE – R.M. Crowson,J.Pipes
Dec. 11 1844 N.O. Pearl River Ouachita – Jas. Y. Griffin
BISHOP EDWIN S. JANES B.R. Alex Districts and Darbonne – Joel Saunders
MONROE DISTRICT Minden,Richmond Randle
J.N. Hammill, PE Red River – WB Scott
Natchitoches- Richard Overby
Caddo-Wm.Hinds, F.A. Nixon

Mississippi District 31

1845 - 1846
Miss. Conf. met for the last La Dists Col. Mission- R.M. Crowson
time with LA at Poydras in N.O.-Squire W.D. Chase Darbonne – TBS
NO. Dec 10-1845 B.R. – Barnabas Pipkin Minden – R. Randle
Planned for division establishing Attakapas, John Powell Caddo – Wm.H. Turnley
Louisiana Conferences Wm. Winas Apts in Natches and “ Col. Mission – T.C. Lewis
Presided untill BISHOP SOULE ARRIVED Vicksburg Nat-J.B. Eddins, D.S. Watkins
MONROE- John N. Red River, J.J. Weems Hammill