USA > Maryland > Centenary pictorial album, being contributions of the early history of Methodism in the state of Maryland > Part 3
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Robert Strawbridge's Brave.
THE plate representing the grave of this excellent man and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that of his wife, as they lie beside each other, is a very correct one. I visited the spot in company with Gabriel P. Disosway, Esq., of New York, Rev. Isaac P. Cook, and the late Rev. Joseph Farrow, of this city. The last named person died in the faith in the summer of 1861.
These remains are in the family burying ground of Mr. Wheeler, on the farm at pres- ent owned by Mr. Lee, near Towsontown, Baltimore county, some six or eight miles from Baltimore. The graveyard belongs to Mr. Wheeler, the descendant of its first owners, who, on being consulted, at once nobly consented to their removal to Mount Olivet Ceme- tery, where it is our purpose they shall repose near those of the venerable Bishop Asbury. At our first visit, we found the ground so thoroughly covered with young trees and briars that it was almost impossible to reach the exact spot where he is interred. Just between the graves, and covering them fully, a very large poplar tree has grown up. Indeed, thus far, the tree has thrown unforeseen difficulties in the way of our removing the remains. Nature has provided for him a memorial, which his immediate descendants have neglected to raise. We trust, at no very distant day, to remove him, and erect to his memory a suitable monument.
I made a subsequent visit to this memorable spot, in company with Rev. Isaac P. Cook, Mr. Thos. C. Ruckle, and my eldest daughter, Miss Amelia H. Roberts, the last named person has since finished her course on earth and entered into her rest, where she is now enjoying, with Robert Strawbridge, the glories of the heavenly state. At this visit we cut down the small trees and bushes, which so thickly had arisen and prevented access to the grave, and made a free and wide opening, leading to it from where originally was the gate of entrance. Our artist addressed himself to the task of taking a fac simile of the grave and its surroundings, which are seen in the accompanying plate, together with all who were in attendance on the occasion.
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soft: A Hem ***. Ballo.
T. C. Ruckle
RE ILWILLIS from an Old Portrait.
T.C. Ruekle
REY HENRY WILLS'S GRAVE Pipe Creek, Carroll Co. Maryland.
Rev. Henry Willis.
Like to the loved disciple Whom Jesus did so love, Is thy memory to earth-dwellers. Thy home is won-above. Now thou dost strike the golden lyre, While songs of rapturous joy. Of hallelujahs to the Lamb, Do all thy thoughts employ. May Christians live as thou didst live, And win the heavenly rest Of peace, and love, and holy joy, A mansion with the blest !
His Grave.
They buried thee thus, their best beloved, Where spring-flowers bloom the brightest, Where the leaves bend down to kiss the earth, And the summer air breathes lightest. For no cold damp stones should press on the sod Where thou art lowly lying, A bright and hallowed shrine should be To soothe the sad heart's sighing, The sacred mound where peacefully Thine earthly part is lying.
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Rev. Henry llis.
THE REV. HENRY WILLIS, as early as 1779, entered upon the work of the itiner- ancy. Of his early history we know nothing, except that he was born in Brunswick county, Va. He was pre-eminently a pioneer in those days which tried men's souls. From the time he took upon himself the labors of the traveling ministry, until he fell asleep in Jesus in the early part of 1800, he was found, in great weakness of body, to de- vote himself to his arduous work. So great were his infirmities, through "bodily weak- ness," that for nearly ten years prior to his death he sustained a supernumerary relation to the Conference. Doing as much as possible, though unable to do effective work. The por- trait represents him clothed in canonicles, preaching, and of a fragile form, with a counte- nance expressive of depth of piety, mingled with great sweetness of disposition, which was truly characteristic of him. Indeed, it shows, as was the case, that all his temper and feelings were brought into full subjection to the power of Divine grace, sanctified holy, and belonging to a man who felt that the business of calling sinners to repentance, and then to the higher walks of experimental godliness, was his ONE work.
Such was the known character of Henry Willis. His reasons for continuing in the itinerancy, when no longer effective, were, that he felt his call, and knew his qualifications were supernal, and having received them of God, he could not dispense with them but by unfaithfulness, weakness of his physical nature, or death. His whole soul was in the traveling ministry, which he looked upon as the most Apostolic and excellent way of spreading, successfully, scriptural holiness.
It must not be thought of him, that he remained in connection with his brethren in order that he might receive the meagre pittance attached thereto. This was steadily re- fused by him, preferring to labor, with his own hands, in the support of the family whom God had cast upon him. He never would partake of the food necessary to sustain them at the expense of the church, and to the detriment of his brethren in the field, who, like himself, were not able to do the full work of the ministry, and at the same time were so constituted as to be unable to labor at all.
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REV. HENRY WILLIS.
At those periods of his life when he had the ability to labor, it was rendered most successfully in the vineyard of the Lord, and he rejoiced to know that the pleasure of the Highest prospered in his hands. He was noted for the possession, in a very high degree of excellence, of all the virtues of the Gospel. System, spirit, and practice were all united in him. He finally closed his eventful life on Pipe creek, Maryland, in the immediate vicinity of the spot where Robert Strawbridge first laid the foundations of Methodism in America.
The writer, in company with the venerable Joseph Cassell, of this city, brother of the late gifted Leonard Cassell, visited these spots of precious memory in the summer of 1862. in company with the artist of our Society, Mr. Thos. C. Ruckle, who took the view of the house in which Henry Willis lived and died. This, together with the views of Straw- bridge's old Log Meeting House, and others, are preserved in our archives, as sacred me- morials of the times and men that then flourished. Whenever in the neighborhood, Bishop Asbury was wont to find in this house, for a short season, a stopping place. where he could refresh his weary spirit in converse with this, man of God, and his body in the quiet retirement of his dwelling and excellent family. It must be remembered that the wife of Henry Willis was the daughter of his intimate friend Jesse Hollingsworth.
Frequently were held, in this house, meetings of great interest, in which were found "seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Frequently they became the occa- sions of great power, and scenes transpired in them of the most intense character. On one of these, special and fervent prayer went up before God for the conversion of a colored servant of Mr. Willis. Among those present on that evening were the children of Mr. Jacob Cassell and Mr. Wm. Durbin. Before leaving the place, they became powerfully awakened, and subsequently, several of them who left the house unconverted, found peace in believing, at a meeting held at the dwelling of Mr. Andrew Poulson. That was a memorable night indeed. Of those then seeking the pardon of sin, sixteen found peace in believing, to their great joy, among whom was Leonard and George Cassell. Great was the exultation of the people of God on account of these accessions to their numbers. Leonard Cassell was clearly and powerfully converted. On finding peace to his soul, he leaped to his feet and shouted aloud the praises of God, for his pardoning love and mercy. So clear was his conversion, that one of the brethren caught the hallowed fire, and pre- dicted that Leonard would make a preacher. A prediction which was literally fulfilled. He did become a preacher of righteousness, and a most eminent one, too, known and read of all who were acquainted with him for his eloquence and power. Thus brought into the fold of Christ in youthful life through the instrumentality of these early Methodists, he de-
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REV HENRY WILLIS.
voted his time and riper years to the spreading of the peculiar Bible truths they held. The improvement in his mental powers, which he made by close application, were such as astonished his friends. They were constrained to acknowledge the hand of God in the in- struction in the deep things of Divine truth of a youth, who had opportunities so few, and apparently imperfect. Pulpit simplicity and eloquence shone brightly in him. They were based upon a zeal unabated in the last moments of a life so exemplary and devoted wholly to the service of his God. In his death, we are constrained to say, "His ways are past finding out." He fell early in his ministerial career, in the sixth year of his minis- try, a victim to the yellow fever, on Monday, September 26th, 1808, whilst stationed at Fells Point, Baltimore. Though the attack of his disease was extremely severe through- out its whole course, until it terminated in death, not a murmur or complaint was heard to escape his lips ; on the contrary, sweet composure, with unshaken confidence in God, marked his end. His end was peaceful indeed.
"How calm his exit !
Night dews fall not more gently to the ground, Nor weary, worn out winds expire so soft."
At least another minister of Christ sprung from these memorable meetings, viz. John Durbin. Of his history but little is now known. He came from one among the earliest families of the Methodists and first settlers on Pipe creek. He was the son of William Durbin, and was one of Strawbridge's converts. He was a local preacher and died early in life, when about thirty years of age. He was a pious and useful minister. He and Leonard Cassell, of whom we have spoken, were intimate associates, and he was frequently sent out on the circuit by the preachers. He also had other appointments. He and the four sons of Mr. Cassell, likewise the sons of the Baxters and Poulsons were : convicted powerfully at Henry Willis'. In the time of the prevalence of the yellow fever in Bal- timore, in 1800, many of the families of the principal Methodists left the city and went to the neighborhood of Henry Willis; Wm. Hawkins, J. Burneston, and J. McCannon were among the number. John and James Chalmers were likewise there, as also was Bishop Asbury. A great work of God took place, at which upwards of one hundred were savingly converted. This commenced at Mr. Willis' dwelling, where they were accus- tomed to hold their meetings, and spread all through that region of country. Prayer meetings of great interest were held at Adam Poulson's, G. Mathews', Wm. Poulson's, Wm. Durbin's, Joshua Smith's, Sandy Warfield's, &c. This work of grace commenced at
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REV. HENRY WILLIS.
Henry Willis', the night when his colored servant was converted. Joseph Cassell, who still survives, in this city, represents the meeting to have been one of extraordinary power, and says that he fancied to himself that the room where the meeting was held was full of the angels of God, who had come down to mingle their songs of praise with God's church on earth over those who were then brought into the fold of Christ. Whilst speaking of these glorious events which transpired in those early days of the church in Maryland, the heart of this venerable man was made to rejoice over the full recollection that he then had of them. He has outlived all of these men of God, and is now waiting patiently and tri- umphantly for the coming of his Lord to take him to his rest with those sainted ones that are safe at home. He spends the later days of his life in fighting over again the battles of the Lord, and in recounting the victories then won for Immanuel, and expects, ere long, to finish his course in holy triumph. Amen ! So may it be.
James McCannon bought a farm in the vicinity and removed his family from the city to it. He continued there until his death. His place fell into other hands, who found it convenient to take down a part of the old mansion and erect another in its stead.
There may be others whose names have not come down to us from those times that tried men's souls within them.
It was in this house of Mr. Willis that the Conference for Pipe creek was held, in the month of May, 1801. The preacher in charge of the circuit was Joseph Stone, an Englishman, His colleagues were Noah Fidler and Henry Willis. Mr. W. held a su- pernumerary relation to the Conference the year before this and the year subsequent. His name appears on the minutes for this year, in the list of appointments, without this affix appended, though under the head of supernumeraries, he is set down as being among those holding that relation to the Conference. Doubtless he was nothing more in the year under notice, on account of his extreme weakness of body.
Probably but few cases similar to that of Henry Willis have been known among us. He lingered on the shores of mortality several years, (at least seven,) sometimes so low that there was but little hope of his surviving, then reviving again to remain a short time longer with his earthly friends.
At last the final struggle came, and he sank quietly to rest from an attack of scarla- tina, calm as a summer evening, with not a cloud to disturb the mild serenity of the heavens. A short time prior to his death, he labored under a severe conflict with the enemy of his soul. He passed through it, however, and came off victorious, more than conqueror "through Him that loved him, and gave Himself for him." Great was his triumph in the Divine presence, in the valley of death, and he passed away with strong
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REV. HENRY WILLIS.
confidence in God, and a faith implicit in the merits of Christ Jesus the Lord, his media- tor with the Father. Thus lived and thus died, Henry Willis. Peace be to his memory.
O may the close of my expiring dạy Be as unclouded and as calm as this ; O'er it may hope, with mildly beaming ray, Reflect the sunshine of eternal bliss.
There are yet among us a few, and but a few, who recollect with pleasure the elo- quence and power of this excellent minister of the Lord Jesus. He labored extensively in New York, and in the North, and Charleston, and the South, and to the Western waters, and in many intermediate places. Wherever he went to build up the cause of Christ his name was as "ointment poured forth."
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T. C. Buckle.
Lith by A.locu & Co Balio.
Mrs. HENRY WILLIS from an Original Portrait
Mrs. Ann Willis.
All rare and beautiful virtues That centered in woman can be, Were purely and graciously blended, O mother in Israel in thee ! Thine the spirits most lovely adorning, Meek and quiet thy deeds and thy words,
Thy life to good works was devoted, Thy will was to know but the Lord's.
Now thine earth-work is over thou reapest The joy to God's saints that is given, Thy mem'ry on earth is still cherished, But thou art an angel in heaven !
Irs. nn ¿tillis.
THE portrait of this elect lady hangs beside that of her excellent husband in our museum. It was taken long after his, when she was comparatively an elderly lady, and puts on the appearance of a mother in Israel, rather than the wife of Henry Willis. An appearance very readily accounted for by the length of the period which elapsed between his death and the time of its being taken.
She was a woman whose character was hardly less marked in her sphere of action, than was his as a man. Known of all who were so fortunate as to have made her ac- quaintance, as a woman whose piety was deep and genuine, which enabled her to pursue the path of life with unfaltering integrity.
Mrs. Willis was the daughter of Jesse Hollingsworth, a man of precious memory, who in his day figured largely as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the city of Baltimore. She was born February 9th, 1769. Her mother was an English lady, and together with her family, were originally members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The father of Mrs. Willis, (Mr. J. Hollingsworth,) became a converted man, I believe, through the instrumentality of Bishop Asbury, and immediately joined the despised Meth- odists. Ann returned home from a boarding school a gay and accomplished young lady. Sometime after, she accompanied her father to a meeting for prayer, which was held in the dwelling of Mrs. Tripolett, at that time a large and commodious house, on the southwest corner of Baltimore street and an alley which was called after her name. Subsequently, this house was torn down, and stores built upon its site by Mr. Joshua Royston.
Mrs. Tripolett's dwelling was noted in its day for the meetings which were held in it by the Methodists. Among her first visits to this place, Ann was awakened to a sense of her condition, and soon became spiritually converted to God. She immediately gave her name to the church, and cast in her lot with the people of God. Her sister Mary, who afterward became Mrs. Yellott, very soon was also converted, and joined the church. Mr. Yellott was a clerk in the employment of Mr. Hollingsworth. At the time of the
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MRS. ANN WILLIS.
massacre in St. Domingo, breadstuffs went up in price to an enormous amount. One day, in conversation on this subject, he expressed a readiness to go out and dispose of it, if he only had the means necessary to freight a large vessel with a cargo of flour. It was then selling at one hundred dollars per barrel. Mr. Hollingsworth told him, if he wished to go, he would furnish him with the necessary means. He embraced the offer, loaded a vessel, went out and soon disposed of it. From this voyage he realized a large fortune. On his return to Baltimore, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Mary, and thus became the son-in-law of Mr. Hollingsworth.
The meetings at Mrs. Tripolett's finally became centres of great attraction to the higher classes of the community. They were frequently attended by Mrs. Gough, some members of the Ridgely family, as well as that of the Carroll family. These persons were the intimate friends of Bishop Asbury, and likewise of Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth and their daughters.
When Mrs. Willis joined the church, she laid aside all her gay clothing, and attired herself in apparel which was neat and simple, such as became "women professing godli- ness."-"Not with broidered hair, or gold, or costly array." The women of that day, both young and old, were patterns of plainness and neatness on all occasions. The plain bonnet, the plain made dress, and (in the more elderly) the plain cap, with long ear-pieces made to tie beneath the chin, was their usual costume. "With good works," they sought diligently to show themselves "approved of men," and not with gay and gaudy invest- ments as at the present-day. Pity is it that we are at such an infinite remove from those who thus early took upon themselves the name of Christ. In our day they are as noted for fine and costly apparel, as in that day they were for the entire absence of every de- scription of it. When will these Apostolic times return to bless the church ? It is to be feared never, no, never !
It is at present unknown in what manner or through what instrumentality Ann at first became acquainted with Mr. Willis. Possibly, it was through the intimacy that ex- isted with himself and Bishop Asbury he first found access to this family. Suffice it to say, that he was soon impressed favorably with the depth of her piety and intelligence, for both of which Miss Hollingsworth was so exemplary. That which at first was mere re- spect for both of these traits as they shone out most conspicuously in her character, subse- quently ripened into an intimacy that resulted finally in propositions of a more intimate union, on his part. Because of the privations to which she would be exposed in the early days of Methodism, as the wife of an itinerant preacher, her family were very much op- posed to her marriage with Mr. Willis. Mr. Hollingsworth himself, said, "it could not be."
MRN. ANN WILLIS.
As a dutiful child, she bowed submissive, and said she never would marry without the consent of her father. She became dispirited, and eventually lost her health. Her phy- sician recommended a sea voyage, and it was so arranged that she went finally to the West Indies, accompanied by her sister. On the voyage she was so ill that her sister despaired of her recovery. On her return to Baltimore, she found that her father was en- gaged to be married again, to a lady who was a relation of the Ridgely family. She how- ever refused to consummate the engagement with Mr. Hollingsworth, until his daughter had been first consulted, and had given her consent thereto. Her consent was readily given. The result of it was, her father also assented to her marriage with Mr. Willis. Eventually he became so infirm as to preclude the possibility of his traveling very exten- sively, as formerly, and he bought a farm on Pipe creek, Frederick county, Md., called Wakefield, to which he retired, and where he continued to reside until his death.
They had six children, Henry, William, Jesse, Mary Yellott, Jeremiah, and Francis Asbury. Bishop Asbury was on terms of the greatest intimacy with them, and became their devoted friend. When in their neighborhood, he made their dwelling his home. The house became a place of resort, and many and great were the meetings held therein. as has been previously stated.
After the death of Mr. Willis, his widow continued to live at Wakefield only for a short time. She bought a farm on Sam's creek, in the vicinity, to which she removed. She remained here some three years, more or less, and then again removed to one on the Monocacy, near Frederick city, and finally to Baltimore city, where she resided at the time of her death.
Wakefield being in the vicinity of Robert Strawbridge's " Log Meeting House," soon, as might have been expected, became a place of resort, and famous for the assemblies of God's people. The Cassells, the Poulsons the Durbins, the Wakefields, the Baxters, and many others, were frequently in attendance upon these meetings, and it was here that inroads were made upon their families for God. Mr. Cassell's children all became con- verted and prominent members of the church of Christ. Jacob Cassell, the sole remaining one, still lives in Baltimore city, at a ripe old age, to bless the church, and receive, as he does, the respect of his brethren in the Lord. Mrs. Willis was always a devoted and pious Christian, remarkable for her intelligence. Her attachment to her father was of the strongest nature, and likewise to her husband. She was in every sense a mother in Israel. that "needed not to be ashamed." She outlived all her children, and finally sank sweetly in the arms of Jesus, and on his bosom breathed her life out most peacefully. She died of consumption, aged 73 years and 7 days, and was laid quietly to rest in the old burial
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MRS. ANN WILLIN.
ground that belonged to the Methodists, which lies in the rear of what is now called Green- mount Cemetery. Some short time since, the writer visited the spot where reposes her silent dust until the morning of the resurrection, when Jesus will summon it to life again, and take her where she shall be "forever with the Lord."
The grounds about her grave are in a very dilapidated condition. The graves in the lot are unmarked, save her own, and that of her brother, Francis, who died on the 4th of February, 1826, aged 32 years and six months. It is a singular coincidence, that Mrs. Willis was born in February and died in February, and her brother, Francis, departed this life in the month of February, also, though in a different year.
The plain marble stone which marks the head of her grave was nearly prostrate to the earth. I had the honor, with my own hands, of placing it again upright in the earth, and permanently. The following is the inscription it bears :
In Memory of
ANN WILLIS,
WIDOW OF THE REV. HENRY WILLIS,
Born, February 9th, 1769, Died, February 16th, 1842, Aged 73 Years and 7 Days.
IN EARLY LIFE SHE BECAME A MEMBER OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND FROM THE TIME OF HER CONVERSION TO HER DEATH, THE POWERS OF A MIND NATURALLY STRONG AND HIGHLY CULTIVATED, WERE STEADILY EM- PLOYED IN ATTAINING THOSE GRACES OF THE SPIRIT WHICH ENABLED HER TO HONOR THE CROSS IN HEALTH, AND MANIFEST THROUGH YEARS OF PERSONAL AFFLICTION "THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS." HAVING ADORNED HER PROFESSION BY A HOLY LIFE, AND THUS FULFILLED THE OBJECT OF PROBATION, SHE SIGHED FOR REST, BID EARTH ADIEU, AND PASSING PEACEFULLY THE SHADES OF DEATH, LEANING ON A SAVIOUR'S ARM, ENTERED TRIUMPHANTLY THE CITY OUT OF SIGHT. J. V
T.(.Ruckte.
Lith. by A Hoen & Co. B .. ila
Pipe Crees, Budt 1783 Re built 1800. This House took the place of Strawbridge Log Chapel
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