Early, John, 1786-1873

John Early (1786-1873) was born in Bedford County, Va., the thirteenth child of Joshua Early and Mary Leftwich Early. He joined the Methodist Church in 1804 and was later licensed to preach. He became a presiding elder in 1813; president of Colonization Society at Lynchburg, Va., 1825; president of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon for 40 years; president of the first conference of the new Methodist Episcopal Chuch, South; bishop from 1854 until he was superannuated in 1866. He was married to Anne Jones and later Elizabeth Browne Rives.

From the guide to the John Early Diary, ., 1807-1814, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)

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