John Newland Maffitt (preacher)
Encyclopedia
John Newland Maffitt Sr. (December 28, 1795, Dublin, Ireland--May 28, 1850, Alabama
), was an Irish-born American Methodist clergyman and itinerant
preacher.
Maffitt emigrated from Ireland in 1819 and in 1822 began preaching in the New England conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
. He won fame as a charismatic orator with an unconventionally dramatic preaching style which attracted large crowds in cities up and down the Eastern seaboard and as far west as New Orleans. Though Maffit's showmanship brought suspicion from religious leaders and others, he gained national recognition after he was reported to have converted President-elect William Henry Harrison
in the winter of 1840-41. In 1841 he served as chaplain in the House of Representatives
. Maffitt's preaching career suffered following a divorce and accusations of sexual impropriety.
Maffitt's son, John Newland Maffitt
, the "Prince of Privateers," was a famous officer in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War
.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
), was an Irish-born American Methodist clergyman and itinerant
Circuit rider (Religious)
Circuit rider is a popular term referring to clergy in the earliest years of the United States who were assigned to travel around specific geographic territories to minister to settlers and organize congregations...
preacher.
Maffitt emigrated from Ireland in 1819 and in 1822 began preaching in the New England conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
. He won fame as a charismatic orator with an unconventionally dramatic preaching style which attracted large crowds in cities up and down the Eastern seaboard and as far west as New Orleans. Though Maffit's showmanship brought suspicion from religious leaders and others, he gained national recognition after he was reported to have converted President-elect William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
in the winter of 1840-41. In 1841 he served as chaplain in the House of Representatives
Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives
The election of William Linn as Chaplain of the House on May 1, 1789, continued the tradition established by the Continental Congresses of each day's proceedings opening with a prayer by a chaplain. The early Chaplains alternated duties with their Senate counterparts on a weekly basis, covering the...
. Maffitt's preaching career suffered following a divorce and accusations of sexual impropriety.
Maffitt's son, John Newland Maffitt
John Newland Maffitt (privateer)
John Newland Maffitt was an officer in the Confederate States Navy who was nicknamed the "Prince of Privateers" due to his remarkable success as a blockade runner and commerce raider in the U.S. Civil War.-Early life:...
, the "Prince of Privateers," was a famous officer in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.