Asbury, Francis, 1745-1816

Francis Asbury (1745-1816) was one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Born in England, he came to America in 1771; in 1784 he, with Thomas Coke, was named the head of the Methodist Church in America. There is a statue to his memory in Washington, DC, and in many towns and cities across America one may find an Asbury United Methodist Church.

From the guide to the Francis Asbury Letters, 1811, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Clergyman.

From the description of Francis Asbury agreement, 1792. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79449892

Francis Asbury was born August 20, 1745 in Handsworth, near Birmingham, England and died March 31, 1816 in Spottsylvania, Virginia. In 1767, he was ordained a Methodist minister and in 1771 he volunteered to be a missionary to the American colonies. Asbury was the only Methodist missionary to remain in the colonies throughout the American Revolution. By 1784, Asbury had become bishop of the newly organized Methodist Episcopal Church in America. As part of his missionary work, Asbury traveled widely throughout the South, including Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

From the description of Francis Asbury collection, 1791-1978. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 85189197

Bishop and Methodist preacher.

From the guide to the Francis Asbury letters, 1797, 1804, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Francis Asbury (1745-1816) was a pioneer Methodist preacher and bishop. He volunteered to become a missionary in America in 1771, remaining through the American Revolution. He became the head of the Methodist organization in America by 1782, and traveled widely throughout the colonies.

John Wesley (1703-1791), evangelist and leader of methodism, published poetry, hymns, sermons, and other religious works. For more biographical information, see the Dictionary of National Biography 20:1214-25.

From the description of Letter: Virginia to Rev. John Wesley, London, 1780 September 3. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122624526