JT-11-1817
I left my family at D. Hess’s, and continued to preach in different parts of Maryland--into Baltimore several times; and several times in different places in Virginia, until the 27th of March, 1817. Within this time I preached seventy-four times, and traveled about seven hundred miles. I met with many oppositions and persecutions from the Sectarians, whose interest it was to put me down. During this time I sold a great many Hymn books, sermons, and the "Pilgrim’s Muse," which I had printed.
March 17th, 1817, my wife brought forth a son, and we named him Lorenzo.
March 27th, 1817, I went on my way, directing my course for the Western country. I preached at my father-in-law’s, in Frederick county, Va.
Thence in Stoverstown, Woodstock, Mount Pleasant, New Market, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Menga’s. Thence I traveled all day in the rain. After night, I put up in a disagreeable cabin, where I found no bed, had nothing to eat, tied my horse to a bush, where he remained till morning. At Pattonsburg, Cop’s, Fincastle, Salem, Montgomery Court house, Newbern, Sauncer’s on New river, in different places in Grayson county, Wythe Court house, where a man passed a twenty dollar counterfeit note on me, which I had afterwards crossed in the bank of Philadelphia.
Thence at different places in Abington, and on to Bean’s Station, in Tennessee. Large congregations generally attended, and in some places I saw the work of the Lord prosper, and thought the Lord was with me.
Thence I took the Kentucky road; crossed Clinch mountain and Clinch river, and lay all night on the bank. Here commences a lonesome and extensive wilderness, with here and there a cabin, to take the traveler’s money. Passed Tazewell Court house, Powel’s river, Cumberland Cape,--a dreary, rugged and desolate part of the world. A suitable residence, only for the venturous hawk, or the more lofty soaring eagle.
O! the sublimity of nature’s works. What tremendous confusion seems to spread along the distant wild. A thundergust came up. O! what majestic rumbling in the mountain forest. I called at a little hut, on Yellow creek. A mighty hail came on. I came on to Lexington in Kentucky, where I hoped to meet with friends and brethren; but by the influence of R. Dooly, my way was straightened, and my former friends treated me coolly. Thence I went on to Cane ridge, and attended a meeting of the Christian brethren, at Concord, where I wished to have the difficulties settled, but charges not being provable, the matter remained where it had been. From the conduct or the brethren, with many of whom I had formerly enjoyed many happy seasons, and had parted from them in Christian fellowship, I was left astonished at the instability and uncertainty of mortal’s friendship. I was rejected on the ground of vile and foundless slander.
I found a friend in Dr. Mitchell, and in a few others. May 8th, as I was making my way to Maysville, in a large forest, the top of a dead tree broke, and fell so sudden, that my creature being much frightened, suddenly wheeled round and throw me, but a little distance from the ponderous limbs, which otherwise would have crushed me to death. I was somewhat hurt by the fall, but felt unspeakably thankful that my life was preserved. I crossed the Ohio river, at Maysville. I preached in different places in Ohio, and came and held meeting at my brother Griffith’s, and at my brother-in-law’s, Jacob Little’s, in Green county. Thence I preached in different places in the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, till I arrived where my family dwelt, which was on the 20th of May, 1817. In this journey, I was absent about sixty days, traveled upwards of 1,400 miles, preached forty-seven times, expended forty-seven dollars, and had two dollars and seventy-five cents given me. I met with necessities, hard trials, and much persecution, and was sometimes greatly dejected in my mind, and disgusted at the deception and treachery of many professors of religion.
June 9th, I and my family took our leave of our dear and kind friends in Maryland, and on the 12th, I arrived it my father-in-law’s, in Frederick county. Va. I left my family here, and in a few days directed my course for Maryland.
I preached in Battletown, Charlestown, and at Harper’s Ferry, in Virginia. In Pleasant Valley, Middletown, Frederickstown, New Market, Popular Springs, New Lisbon, Hiettstown, Clarksburg, and Baltimore, in Maryland. I returned on the same route, and arrived at my father-in-law’s on the 17th of July. In this journey I was absent twenty-eight days, traveled about three hundred miles, and preached twenty-nine times. Congregations were generally so large that we frequently had to sit in the woods. I saw great success, in some places, attend my labors, and felt glad that priest craft was weakening, and that creeds and confessions were losing their influence.
I preached several times in the neighborhood, and thence on Back creek, at Gonotown, Nesmith’s, Hull’s, C.’s, L.’s, Forks of Capon, Sandy Ridge meeting house, Park Valley; at Sandy Ridge again, where I organized a church. Thence I returned to my father-in-law’s and found my family well. In this journey I was absent seven days, traveled about one hundred miles, and preached thirteen times; suffered some necessity, and saw and felt some joyful seasons of the love of God. It was not uncommon, when the people knew where I put up, for them to come in at night, and fill the house, expecting to hear something from me!
July 30th, I started for the Western country, accompanied by D. Hess, of Maryland. I went through different parts of the State of Ohio, as far back as Mad-river, and the Great Miami. I purchased eighty acres of improved land, of James Love in Rush creek, a few miles from, the town of Rushville, in Fairfield county, for which I was to pay eight hundred dollars. I paid him four hundred dollars in hand. The balance was to be paid, one hundred dollars annually; commencing in twelve months after the ensuing April. I returned to my father-in-law’s the 27th of August, having been absent four weeks--traveled about nine hundred miles, and preached seventeen times--many incidents I omit.
September 4th, I directed my course up the country. I preached at Stoverstown, S. Hickle’s, Narrow Passage, Biddle’s, Hickle’s school house, Mount Pleasant, New Market, and on Smith’s creek, in Rockingham county. Here I organized a church. Thence I returned on the same route, and arrived at my father-in-law’s. I was absent sixteen days, traveled a hundred and forty miles, and preached eighteen times. I met with some persecution--saw some melting effects of the word preached among the people--had some trials and temptations, and had grace given to console and deliver me.
I must for the present, bring this compend of my travels to a close; necessarily leaving out several years of my life. Though in this space of time, I have passed through some of the most severe and important trials, and remarkable circumstances that have occurred during my days.