Browse the Collection

A letter from D. S. Doggett to Robert Paine reporting on his and Bishop Pierce's attendance at the Baltimore Conference, their interactions with Northern Methodists there, and mentioning that he will be traveling to the district conferences in Tennessee and Alabama shortly.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine asking if he had transferred some preachers to the Texan Conferences, requesting he transfer preachers from the Memphis to the Mississippi Conference, asking what occurred at the Tennessee Conference, and requesting clarification on the responsibilities of a book agent.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine asking after William Finlay who was recently transferred to the Virginia Conference, sharing his concern about manning the Kansas Missionary Conference in light of the manpower needed in both the Missouri and St. Louis Conferences, making suggestions for how the bishops can cover conference responsibilities if either Bishop Kavanaugh or Pierce travels to California, and asking for Paine's thoughts on the matter.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine discussing the preparation of missionaries for the China Mission, including where to transfer new preachers in the meantime so they can be best prepared for the work.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine presenting options for arranging their attendance schedules at various conferences, reporting on the Western Virginia, Kentucky, and Louisville Conferences, mentioning that he is preparing certificates for ministers converting from other denominations, and discussing an issue of funding for missionaries to be sent to Central America.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine discussing the dangerous state of affairs in Virginia and Tennessee and recommending that they postpone the General Conference until 1863 since a number of conferences will not be able to safely hold their annual meetings due to military action.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine discussing an issue with Brother Mizell abandoning his assigned district in Tennessee, discussing an issue with Rufus Hefflin departing the North Carolina Conference before a hearing could be held regarding charges against him, mentioning that he does not intend to transfer either of these preachers to Texas, sharing his tentative plans for holding the Tennessee, Holston, and Virginia Conferences, and discussing his disappointment in the conduct of the northern forces.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine offering condolences on Paine's poor health, explaining that it was not safe for him to travel to the last meeting of the College of Bishops in Louisville, sharing that he hopes to attend a meeting of trustees for one of the Methodist colleges, offering to assist Paine in running the Holston Conference, and asking about a missing portion of his salary from the previous year.

A letter from Robert Paine to William M'Kendree sharing the dates of a number of upcoming camp meetings, reporting on the camp meetings Paine has attended so far, and asking that M'Kendree attend if his health allows.

A letter from Joshua Soule to Robert Paine giving an update on his wife's health, sharing that it is unlikely that he will be able to make it to the Tennessee Conference due to health and weather reasons, assuring Paine of his intention to attend the Memphis Conference, asking if Paine would cover Soule's financial obligations at the Tennessee Conference (to be repaid upon Soule's next return to Nashville), confirming he has received the appointments for the Missouri Conference, asking after Bishop Capers' appointments, and mentioning the sudden death of Brother Lanius.

A note from Robert Paine to Thomas Stringfield directing Stringfield to preach in Shelbyville and Murfreesboro before attending the Quarterly Meeting, requesting that he manage Paine's Black class in Shelbyville, directing him to collect (but not read) any correspondence directed to Paine, providing directions for accounting for and selling an order of books, and requesting that Stringfield arrange for some of Paine's clothes to be sent to him.

A letter from William M. Wightman to Robert Paine explaining the amounts and from which banks the money he has enclosed come from, and asking if Paine would make a donation to the Southern Christian Advocate.