Administrative Information

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Publication Rights/ Restrictions on Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Librarian/ Associate Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts, and the holder of the copyright, if not the Rockefeller Library at Colonial Williamsburg.

Preferred Citation

William Spencer Diaries, Manuscript MS 37.2, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Alternative Form

Also available on microfilm M-50.

Biographical/Historical Information

William Spencer was born in Buckingham County, Va. in 1764. While still a boy, he moved to Prince Edward County. He served as a Methodist circuit rider, 1789-1797, in Virginia and Norht Carolina. He was married to Mary Newbill adn taught school in Prince Edward County. In 1804, he moved to Lunenburg County.

Scope and Content Information

Diaries of William Spencer (b. 1764), a Methodist circuit rider on the Williamsburg circuit, extending from Richmond (Henrico County) to Hampton; and the Surry circuit, including Surry and Sussex counties. Gives the locations where he preached, his reception by congregations, and accounts of his personal spiritual life. The diaries were written as a homily for future generations. Prominent early Methodists mentioned included Stephen Davis, Ira Ellis, James O'Kelly, and John Robinson. Spencer lists many of the homes and churches where he preached, including Clayton's Meetinghouse; Ellis Chapel, Sussex County; Lane's Chapel, Sussex County; and Watkins Meetinghouse, Henrico County.

Related Material

The Rockefeller Library has a microfilm copy (M-82.12) of William Spencer's diary for the period of Dec., 1787-Jan. 1790.

The original of the William Spencer Diary, Dec., 1787- Jan., 1790 resides at the Virginia Historical Society.

William Spencer Diary, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.
William Spencer Diary, 1789 Dec. 17-1790 Jan. 27. 1 item (48 p.) Mss5:1 Sp346:1

Index Terms

Persons:

• Davis, Stephen.
• Ellis, Ira.
• O'Kelly, James, ca. 1735-1826.
• Robinson, John.
• Spencer, William, b. 1764.

Subjects:

• Methodist Church--Virginia--History--18th century.
• Methodist Church--Virginia- -Clergy--History--18th century.

Corporate Names:

• Clayton's Meetinghouse.
• Ellis Chapel (Sussex County, Va.)
• Lane's Chapel (Sussex County, Va)
• Watkin's Meetinghouse (Henrico County, Va.)

Genre and Form Terms:

• Diaries--Virginia--18th century.

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Bibliography

Portions of the diaries have been published in: