Benjamin Abbott
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Abbott was a Methodist evangelist who successfully converted much of southern New Jersey
to Christianity.
He was born in Pennsylvania
in 1732 to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Abbott. He started out as a hatter
's apprentice in Philadelphia, later leaving that position to work on his brother's farm in New Jersey
. He is said to have been addicted to card-playing, cock-fighting, drinking, and brawling.
In 1772, he converted to Christianity because of the Methodist preacher ,Abraham Whitworth, and became a local preacher. In 1790, he was ordained a deacon, and later, in 1793, he became an elder of the church and a circuit preacher
. In Abel Stevens History of American Methodism, 1867 Stevens writes, " He had a temperament deeply mystic and subject to marvelous experiences which baffle all scientific explanation". Stevens also noted, "His whole soul seemed pervaded by a certain magnetic power that thrilled his discourses and radiated from his person, drawing, melting and frequently prostrating the stoutest opposers in his congregation. It is probable that no Methodist laborer of his day reclaimed more men from abject vice. He seldom preached without visible results, and his prayers were overwhelming". He died in Salem, New Jersey
, in 1796.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
to Christianity.
He was born in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1732 to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Abbott. He started out as a hatter
Hatter
A hatter is a person engaged in hatmaking.Hatter also may refer to:*The Hatter, a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* Luton Town F.C., team a.k.a. "The Hatters"* Stockport County F.C., team a.k.a. "The Hatters"...
's apprentice in Philadelphia, later leaving that position to work on his brother's farm in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. He is said to have been addicted to card-playing, cock-fighting, drinking, and brawling.
In 1772, he converted to Christianity because of the Methodist preacher ,Abraham Whitworth, and became a local preacher. In 1790, he was ordained a deacon, and later, in 1793, he became an elder of the church and a circuit preacher
Circuit preacher
A circuit preacher is a Christian minister who, in response to a shortage of ministers, officiates at multiple churches in an area, thus covering a "circuit"....
. In Abel Stevens History of American Methodism, 1867 Stevens writes, " He had a temperament deeply mystic and subject to marvelous experiences which baffle all scientific explanation". Stevens also noted, "His whole soul seemed pervaded by a certain magnetic power that thrilled his discourses and radiated from his person, drawing, melting and frequently prostrating the stoutest opposers in his congregation. It is probable that no Methodist laborer of his day reclaimed more men from abject vice. He seldom preached without visible results, and his prayers were overwhelming". He died in Salem, New Jersey
Salem, New Jersey
Salem is a city in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 5,146. It is the county seat of Salem County, the most rural county in the state of New Jersey. The name Salem is related to the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "peace".The town and...
, in 1796.