John Wesley papers
The collection includes three of John Wesley's diaries. The original 1736 diary documents part of his trip to Georgia (1735-1738) with his brother Charles, and is written partially in the cipher they sometimes used in their letters. The other two diaries are photocopies of the 1735 and 1737 volumes held by Methodist Archives in London (which has since been transferred to the University of Manchester). The collection also contains correspondence of John Wesley pertaining to church business and theology, including correspondence with prominent Methodists and family members. Letters and manuscripts which are in print are noted in the container list at the relevant item. "Telford" refers to John Telford (ed.), The Letters of the Rev. John Wesley (8 vols; London: The Epworth Press, 1831). "Wesley Works" refers to Frank Baker and Richard Heitzenrater (eds.), The Bicentennial Edition of the Works of John Wesley (35 vols; Nashville: Abindgon Press, 1976- ). Other materials in the collection relate to John Wesley's life and ministry. This includes an affidavit against John Wesley by Captain Robert Williams. The affidavit concerns Wesley's failed romantic relationship with Sophia Hopkey during the time he was in Georgia and describes his repeated attempts to meet with her in private after her marriage to William Williamson. As a result of his actions, Wesley was tried by a grand jury, indicted, and released on bail. Before the trial was held, Wesley left Savannah "in a clandestine manner" and returned to England. Included is a pasted-in print copy of the excerpt from Wesley's diary that is a response to Captain Williams' statement and a handwritten copy of a letter written by Wesley to Williams. Other items in this series include an autobiographical sketch by Thomas Hanby, which contains John Wesley's manuscript corrections and John Wesley's epitaph on Dr. Dodd. The last item is an undated fragment consisting of a list of thirty-eight names and the church offenses they committed, including drunkenness, gaming, racing, dancing, railing, and scolding. The number of those expelled is totaled at the bottom.
-
TextLetter from Sarah Wesley to "My dearest Uncle and Friend," [London]
Wesley, Sarah, 1760-1828CopyrightNO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES
Free
to useA letter from Sarah Wesley to John Wesley thanking her uncle for placing a sizable amount of money aside for her and asking his advice on her using some of that money to support her mother. -
TextLetter from Sarah Wesley to John Wesley, Chesterfield Street, [London]
Wesley, Sarah, 1760-1828CopyrightNO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES
Free
to useA letter from Sarah Wesley to John Wesley expressing her worries and spiritual struggles and asking for his guidance. -
TextLetter from Sarah Wesley to John Wesley, Chesterfield [Street, London]
Wesley, Sarah, 1760-1828CopyrightNO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES
Free
to useA partial letter from Sarah Wesley to John Wesley discussing her work with the poor and asking him to pass along some notes to other acquaintances. -
TextWesley family genealogy
CopyrightNO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES
Free
to useA manuscript copy of John Wesley's family tree, including notes on his father, mother, and siblings. -
TextJohn Wesley's tomb inscription
A manuscript copy of the inscription found on John Wesley's tomb. -
TextLetter from William Law to John Wesley
Law, WilliamA letter from William Law to John Wesley discussing the Lord's Supper and the conceptualization of the blood and body of Christ as part of the Eucharist. -
TextJohn Wesley, church discipline fragment
A partial list of church discipline, including a list of names and their transgressions. -
-
TextThomas Owens, appointment as deacon, [facsimile]
The official appointment of Thomas Owens as a deacon in the Methodist Church. -
TextRobert Gamble, appointment as elder, [facsimile]
The official appointment of Robert Gamble as an elder of the Methodist Church. -
TextThomas Coke, appointment as superintendent for American church, [facsimile]
The official appointment of Dr. Thomas Coke as the superintendent of the Methodist Church in North America. -
TextThomas Hanby, autobiographical sketch, Liverpool, and note to John Wesley
Hanby, Thomas, 1734-1797An autobiographical sketch by Thomas Hanby sent as a letter to John Wesley and including notations and corrections by Wesley. -
TextCaptain Robert Williams Affidavit against the Revd. Mr. John Wesley with Sunday Papers & Letters Relating thereto, 1739 etc. etc.
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A scrapbook containing Robert Williams, "The Life and Conversation of that Holy Man Mr. John Wesley, during his Abode at Georgia (Affidavit),"and a copy of John Wesley's, "An Extract from the Rev. Mr. John Wesley's Journal with regard to the Affidavit made by Captain Robert Williams," accompanied by associated notes and quotations by unknown writer. -
TextCircular letter from John Wesley to "Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, and our Brethren in North America," Bristol
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A circular letter from John Wesley to Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, and the North American Methodists addressing the issue of church leadership and appointing Dr. Coke and Francis Asbury, along with Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, as leaders of the Methodists in North America. -
TextCircular letter from John Wesley to "My Dear Brother," [unaddressed], London
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A circular letter from John Wesley sharing a letter he recieved which presents the financial state of the Methodists and proposes a method for paying off their debts. -
TextLetter from John Wesley to Susanna Knapp, London, [facsimile]
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A letter from John Wesley to Susanna Knapp discussing Wesley's health and hopes to be able to travel again. -
TextLetter from John Wesley to Thomas Greathead, London, [facsimile]
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A letter from John Wesley to Thomas Greathead encouraging him to be thankful for the blessings God has given him and to spread such goodness to others around him. -
TextLetter from John Wesley to John Bredin, Manchester, [manuscript facsimile]
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A letter from John Wesley to Samuel Walker describing Wesley's travels by sea and advising Walker to consult with a physician for a remedy. -
TextLetter from John Wesley to the Rev. Samuel Walker, London, [manuscript facsimile]
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A letter from John Wesley to Samuel Walker explaining that Wesley has no desire to split from the Church (Church of England) and outlining the ways in which Wesley's appraoch to preaching is compatible with Walker's. -
TextLetter from John Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, West Street, [London]
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A letter from John Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley apologising for not having money to send and assuring her that he has asked Mr. Whitfield to gather the money and get it to her. -
TextLetter from John Wesley to Sarah Wesley, Hinxworth
Wesley, John, 1703-1791A letter from John Wesley to Sarah Wesley discussing her health and time in Margate and encouraging her to visit him when he is in London.
