| Background: |
Methodism is a branch of the protestant religion and was originally a movement within the Church of England in Britain led by John Wesley (1703-91). William Black (1760-1834) was the first evangelical methodist preacher in the Maritimes who began preaching in settlements along the Petitcodiac River in New Brunswick in 1781. The Shelburne-Barrington circuit was part of the Nova Scotia District, which included New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, until 1826. At that time, the District was divided into two sections, one for most of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and another for New Brunswick and the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. Members organized into societies and held class meetings. |
| Contents: |
The Records contain the books of the steward for the Methodist Church in the Nova Scotia District: the Shelburne-Barrington Circuit, as well as the Barrington Society, 1796-1842. These relate to its finances, memberships, and ministers giving insight into religion and the operation of the church in this area, and a glimpse, through its accounts, of its interest in social welfare.
- Barrington Society Steward’s Book
- 1796-1818 includes the accounts and lists of members; the names of William Black and John Mann are found within often.
- 1823-1842 includes the accounts of subscriptions and expenses, with some brief additional notes by the stewart, Winthrop Sargent; member lists; brief minutes of quarterly meetings with content more than fiscal in nature for the later years. Some examples of document content includes: a fund for the poor, 1831-33; and in 1842, a plan of a preaching schedule for the different areas, list of furniture at the Wesleyan Mission House, and the names of the officers of the societies in the Barrington Circuit.
- Shelburne-Barrington Circuit Steward’s Book: 1822-1831
- Account book includes: receipts and expenditures with additional notes by the steward, Sargent; and quarterly meetings focused on finances.
- John Pope, Missionary, is the signatory to the first day’s entries of 23 Sept 1822.
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