Francis Asbury

Francis Asbury (born Aug. 20, 1745, Hamstead Bridge, Staffordshire, Eng.—died March 31, 1816, Spotsylvania, Va., U.S.) was the first bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church consecrated in the United States. His efforts did much to assure the continuance of the church in the New World. After limited schooling Asbury was licensed as a local preacher, and at the age of 21 he was admitted to the Wesleyan Conference. For four years he served as an...