Freeborn Garrettson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Freeborn Garrettson
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The Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, aged 73
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| Born | August 15, 1752 |
| Died | September 26, 1827 (aged 75) Village of Rhinebeck, New York, United States of America
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| Occupation | Clergyman |
| Spouse(s) |
Catherine Livingston
(m. 1793) |
| Children | 1 |
Freeborn Garrettson (born August 15, 1752 – died September 26, 1827) was an important American preacher. He was one of the very first Methodist preachers born in America. He joined the Methodist church in 1775. Freeborn traveled a lot to share his religious message in many states. People sometimes called him Methodism's "Paul Revere" because he traveled so much. Garrettson was also a strong supporter of ending slavery.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Freeborn Garrettson was born in 1752 in Maryland. His family had lived there for three generations. They owned a large amount of land. This land included a farm, a general store, and a blacksmith shop. The Garrettson family was wealthy. They had many enslaved families who worked their businesses.
Growing up, Freeborn's family was Anglican and well-off. This meant he got a good education for his time. He learned reading, writing, and math. He also studied bookkeeping, surveying, and astronomy. Later, he inherited his parents' land and many enslaved people.
Becoming a Preacher
A Special Calling
Freeborn Garrettson had some very special experiences when he was young. When he was about nine years old, he heard a clear voice. It said, "Ask and it shall be given you." He believed this was God speaking to him.
Later, he heard another voice ask, "Do you know what a saint is? A saint is one who is wholly given up to God." This question really touched his heart. He wrote in his journal that he saw a beautiful person. He then prayed to God to help him become a saint.
Facing Hardship
Soon after these spiritual moments, Freeborn faced sadness. When he was 10, he lost his mother, his sister Sally, and two family servants. This made him feel sad and depressed. For almost ten years, his spiritual feelings were not as strong.
About a decade later, he heard traveling Methodist preachers. Their sermons helped awaken his spiritual feelings again. These preachers were Robert Strawbridge and Joseph Pilmoor. But it was another British preacher, Francis Asbury, who truly helped Freeborn become a Christian. By 1776, Freeborn Garrettson became one of Asbury's traveling preachers.
Fighting Against Slavery
Soon after Freeborn Garrettson inherited enslaved people, he decided to free them. He wrote that a "voice" told him to do this. His journals show that he was against slavery. He even preached against it. Because of his strong beliefs, he was put in jail in Cambridge, Maryland.
After Garrettson's time on the Delmarva Peninsula, many people there also freed enslaved people. By 1810, most African Americans in Delaware were free. Garrettson wrote about slavery in a work called "A Dialogue Between Do-Justice and Professing Christian." His preaching also led to the freedom of Richard Allen. Allen later founded the Bethel Church and the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) church.
His Role in Methodism
A Key Leader
Many people believe Freeborn Garrettson was a very important Methodist preacher. He was considered the most skilled American-born Methodist preacher when the church was first starting. He became a Methodist preacher in 1775. At first, he served people on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Freeborn supported the American Revolution. However, he refused to fight in the war. He was put in jail for a time in Maryland because of this. Most Methodist preachers from England went back home when the war began.
He traveled so much for the Methodist church that some called him the "Methodist Paul Revere."
Missionary Work in Nova Scotia
In 1784, Garrettson went as a missionary to Nova Scotia. A missionary is someone who travels to spread their religious beliefs. He helped start Methodist churches in places like Cape Negro and Birchtown, Nova Scotia. Birchtown was a settlement for free Black people.
He traveled all over Nova Scotia. He preached in almost every town there. He helped bring many people into the Methodist church, including James Man.
Settling in New York
In the late 1780s, Garrettson settled in Rhinebeck, New York. He wanted to bring Methodism to the people there. He held the first Methodist church services in the Benner House. During his time as a minister, Methodism grew a lot in America.
He married Catherine Livingston in 1793. They had one daughter together.
Continuing His Work
Garrettson became a Methodist elder in 1784. This was at a conference in Baltimore where the Methodist Episcopal Church was officially formed. His preaching reached from North Carolina all the way to Nova Scotia.
Even after settling in New York, Garrettson continued to be a "circuit rider." This meant he traveled from place to place to preach. He and his wife made their home a welcoming place for other circuit riders to rest.
Freeborn Garrettson died at his home, Wildercliff, in Rhinebeck, on September 26, 1827.
See also
In Spanish: Freeborn Garrettson para niños
