Who was Jesse Lee?

Who Was Jesse Lee?

Jesse Lee was an itinerant preacher who, on August 1, 1793 at the easterly session of the Methodist Church's New England Conference at Lynn, MA, was appointed to a circuit that included the Province of Maine and Lynn, Massachusetts. In the summer of 1794, Jesse Lee was appointed to the office of Presiding Elder of a district that included nominally, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Jesse Lee is credited with establishing Methodism in Maine and the roots of some of the churches in the Jesse Lee Cluster can be traced directly back to Jesse Lee.

This presents a summary of the history of Jesse Lee, primarily as it relates to the area of the central Maine region which is the home of the Jesse Lee Cluster of the United Methodist Church. Unless noted otherwise, the information is excerpted from Methodism in Maine; 1793 - 1886 by Rev. Stephen Allen, D.D. and Rev. W. H. Pilsbury; published in Augusta, Maine by the Press of Charles E. Nash in 1887, with the approval of the Maine and East Maine Conference.

Life of Jesse Lee
Jesse Lee as an Evangelist
Jesse Lee in Maine

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Life of Jesse Lee

Jesse Lee was born in Prince George's County, Virginia on March 12, 1753. In 1773 his parents joined the Methodist society. Jesse Lee, "in that same year experienced, in a marked manner, the sense of pardoned sin." "In 1776, he experienced a state of grace which he called "perfect love." "In 1777 he moved from his home into the bounds of Roanoke circuit, North Carolina; where the next year he was appointed a class leader. He preached his first sermon November 17, 1779, and for a time supplied the preachers place."

He was drafted into the militia during the summer of 1780 but was subsequently excused from bearing arms because of his religious scruples and discharged.He then ". . earnestly solicited to enter the itinerant ministry, but shrank from the responsibility, fearing lest he should injure the work of God." "At the tenth conference, held at Ellis meeting house, April 17, 1782, he was deeply impressed by the union and brotherly love prevalent among the preachers; and at a quarterly meeting, in November, he was prevailed upon to take charge, together with Mr. Dromgoole, of the Amelia circuit, near Edenton, NC." "At the Ellis meeting house, May 6, 1783, he was received on trial into the conference. This year he preached with marked success" and was moved by the the effect that he had on those to whom he preached and by his own emotions. "From this time he labored on different circuits, with like success, and was now regarded as an important man in the connexion. December 12, 1784, he was invited to meet Coke, Whatcoke, and Vasey, at the celebrated Christmas conference of 1784, at Baltimore, when with the aid of these persons ordained for this purpose, the Methodist Episcopal church was organized. Lee could not attend this conference on so short notice, but was immediately after requested by Bishop Asbury to travel on a Southern tour. This was an important event for Lee." "He met with a merchant, who gave him such information of New England as to awaken in him an eager desire to transfer his labors to that region."

"In 1786, he was appointed to Kent Circuit, Maryland; 1787, Baltimore; 1788 Flanders Circuit, embracing a portion of New Jersey and New York. At the conference held in New York May 28, 1789, Lee was appointed to Stamford Circuit in Connecticut; and now began his career in New England, which continued for eleven years. New England, from the natural temperament of its inhabitants, and their previous theological education, was a hard field for the introduction of Methodism, into which it had not hitherto ventured with a set purpose of permanent occupancy." Lee preached at Norwich, Stratford, where he formed the first class, consisting of three women, and at Reading, but '. . at the end of seven months' labor, he had secured five members in the society! But the spirit with which he labored appears in his journal as follows: "I love to break up new ground, and hunt the lost souls of New England, though it is hard work; but when Christ is with me, hard things are made easy and rough ways made smooth."

"In July 9, of [1790], he went to Boston, but finding no house opened, he preached on the common to three thousand hearers. He often returned to the city, but no society was there till July 13, 1792. He had better success elsewhere, and constantly labored throughout New England in supervising the work, till the General Conference of 1796. [It was from 1793 through 1796 that Lee's influence was felt in Maine.] From that time till 1800, he continued his labors, part of the time in New England, amid great difficulties, frequent theological controversies and no small degree of persecution. The subsequent portion of his life he spent mostly in the South, in earnest and successful labor, as pastor and presiding elder, preferring, says his biographer, the former position."

"At the General Conference held May 6, 1800, Lee came near being elected Bishop - Whatcoat being chosen over him by only four votes. He seems to have had no ambition for ecclesiastical promotion. During the years 1812, 1813, 1814, he served as chaplain in the House of Representatives in Washington, and in 1814, he was chaplain of the Senate. He favored the proposition to make the office of Presiding Elder elective, and opposed the principle of ordaining local preachers to elders orders."

Lee "continued his active labors till 1616, but his labors closed this year by death, at the age of fifty-eight, September 12."

Jesse Lee as an Evangelist

"Lee was a man of vigorous physique, imposing presence, and great power of endurance. In weight, about two hundred and fifty pounds. In travelling, he rode horse-back, and like most other circuit riders of those times, he was a skillful horseman. In most of his travels, two horses were required for his use; each for a relay, when the other became fatigued. The horses were trained so that they would come to him at his call; and each would follow the other. So completely did the horses understand their duty, that if any person attempted to frighten away the companion horse, the indigent animal, with a show of teeth and heels, would drive away the intruder, and the itinerant rode on without further molestation." "Lee's outfit consisted of the inevitable saddle-bags, stored with bible, hymn book, a few other books, and a needful supply of clothing." "He went among strangers, preaching,singing, and praying, in barns, school-houses, or in the open air, wherever he could obtain an audience; forming classes whenever two or three were willing to unite with the [Methodist] society." Lee's impassioned sermons, fervid prayers and grand singing drew crowds to hear him. His genial manners and ready wit, made him an agreeable guest in the families of the people, especially in the rural neighborhoods. He was often coldly received in the villages, and he sometimes encountered violent opposition from the settled pastors, who regarded him as a visionary enthusiast, and denounced his doctrines as pestilent heresy." He was often challenged to discuss "principles," but generally evaded controversy, or repelled assaults with some short witty rejoinder. He proclaimed, with great force, a free and full salvation, and with great power, exhorted sinners to repent." "In this manner, he had explored all the New England states except the province of Maine; and had organized societies; and now, about the first of September, 1793, he is ready to commence the reconnoissance of his newly formed circuit [the Province of Maine and Lynn, Massachusetts].

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Jesse Lee in Maine

Jesse Lee, who on August 1, 1793 was assigned the new circuit that included Lynn, Massachusetts and the Province of Maine, left Lynn on Thursday, September 5th, and on Saturday was in Portsmouth, where, refused permission to preach in the courthouse, he ascended to the front door and began. "When he commenced, he had but twelve hearers; but soon they began to flock together, and swelled to some hundreds before he concluded." "The next day (September 6) he was "off early, crossed the river and for the first time entered the Province of Maine." He traveled to Saco, to Portland and on to Freeport and then Bath. He crossed the Kennebec river and rode to Newcastle, to Thomaston, and to Union about September 25, 1793. He then crossed the Penobscot River and stayed at the town of Penobscot, and after going to a little village called Baggaduce, found the going on horseback too difficult returned to Penobscot. He then rode to Bucktown (Bucksport) on October 1, then up the river within a few miles of the Indian settlement, then back to Orrington, Hampden and Frankfort. "The inhabitants upon the Penobscot, at that time, were principally new settlers, destitute of any regular preaching, and were, therefore, more than thankful for the visit from Mr. Lee. He then passed on to Unity on October 7th, and to Hallowell on the 13th where he preached at the Academy. " At most if not all the places above named, Lee undoubtedly preached, though this is not specifically stated in the hasty description of his journey." From Hallowell he preceded to Farmington. On October 17th he returned by way of New Sharon, Mt. Vernon, Readfield on October 19th, Winthrop on October 21st, and Monmouth on October 22nd to Hallowell where he again preached at the Academy, probably on October 23rd. "Although' says Lee 'I was a perfect stranger and had to make my own appointments, I preached almost every day, and had crowded assemblies to hear. After viewing the country, I thought the most proper place to form a circuit would be on the west side of the Kennebec river. This circuit was accordingly formed, extending from Hallowell to the Sandy river, and called the Readfield circuit." "Lee returned from Hallowell, through Portland to Lynn, which was then a sort of headquarters of Methodism in New England, near the last of October, 1793. He had awakened a lively interest by his preaching. His fame had spread beyond the line of his travels, and the people were prepared to welcome him on his return to this frontier."

Jesse Lee returned to Maine in January, 1794. His journals are incomplete regarding his travels. A sketch in the History of the Methodists indicates that he preached in Sidney on January 29, 1794, in Fayette on the 11th of February, in Livermore on the 12th, in Wayne on the 14th, and Chesterville on the 21st. On February 26th he preached in Jay, on March 5th in Vassalborough, on the 7th in Harlem (China), on the 9th in Winslow, on the 11th in Norridgewock, on the 12th in Canaan, and in Clinton, and on the 13th in Fairfield. On the 6th of April he preached in Greene, and on the 2nd of June in New Vineyard, on the 16th in Strong, on the 17th in Avon, on the 3rd of July in Leeds, and on the 14th in Lewiston.

In the summer of 1794, Jesse Lee was appointed to the office of presiding elder of a district that included nominally, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.Lee set out from Lynn, MA on the 3rd of November, 1794, and arrived in Portland,ME on November 3, 1794. He preached there and then in Gray, and Gloucester on the 9th, and in Greene on the 12th. He then travelled to Monmouth, ME where he passed the night with Esq. Dearborn. He found that many in that area "had been awakened and converted within a short time past." On November 12th he met with Philip Wager who was assigned the Maine circuit when Jesse Lee was assigned as an Elder, and was pleased with the account that he received of the work of God on the circuit. Lee preached at Captain Hopkins' Tavern that afternoon and he also met with the recently formed class that consisted of about fifteen persons. This was the first class formed in Maine.

jesseleech.gif - 13830 Bytes On Saturday, November 15th Lee rode to Nathaniel Whittier's in Readfield, ME and on Sunday, the 16th, preached twice at Mr. Hutchins'. He then went to Mr. Whittier's and met the Readfield class which numbered about 17 members and was the second class formed in Maine. He preached again that evening. On Monday, November 17, 1794, he he went to look at the meeting house that was begun the previous summer and was then nearly ready to preach in. It was the first Methodist meeting house ever built in Maine.

Lee then travelled to Sandy River. He visited Farmington, Anson, and Goshen (now Vienna), and on December 12th, 1794, returned to Readfield where on the Sabboth he preached and administered the sacraments to about 8 persons - the first celebration of the Lord's supper by the Methodists of Maine. This was a memorable occasion.

Lee then traveled to Hallowell and crossed the Kennebec river on the ice. The horses broke through 10 or 15 feet from the easterly shore. All made it safely to shore. They then rode to the Pittston Meeting House, called at Major C.'s and left an appointment to preach in two days, on their return. After visiting and preaching in New Milford (Alna), Lee returned to Major C.'s but no appointment had been made for him to preach. "He soon recrossed the river and rode to Mr. Laine's in Littleborough (Leeds) where his preaching resulted in several members of the congregation crying aloud, a man was seized with trembling, and then another was seized with trembling and crying. Lee then passed on to Monmouth and spoke to a very large congregation at Captain Hopkin's on Christmas day. They administered communion, which was the first time Methodists had ever communed in Monmouth, ME. Lee then gave the friends in Monmouth some advice about building a meeting house.

Lee had spent about seven weeks on this journey through the interior of Maine. He traveled back to Massachusetts through Saco and Portsmouth and spent the next three months in the westerly part of his district.

About the first of April, 1795, Jesse lee returned for his fourth visit to Maine. He traveled through Falmouth, Portland, Monmouth, Readfield, and Twenty-five Mile Pond (Unity.) Leaving Unity went to Hampden over very bad roads and his horses twice became mired in the mud. At Bangor he had to cross the Penobscot River, but no ferry boat was available. Two small boats were lashed together so that the horses could travel with the fore feet in one and rear feet in the other. All made it safely across. "Lee then went on to Orrington, Bucksport, Gouldsborough, Epping, the Falls of Pleasant River, and Machias, swimming rivers and passing dangerous fords. Having reached the extreme eastern limits of the state, he passed on by water into the Province of New Brunswick, early in the month of April, visiting St. John, and crossing the Bay of Fundy, - visiting and preaching in several places. He set out on his return the 25th of May, in company with Rev. D. McCall, a Wesleyan preacher in New Brunswick, who went to attend the session of the New England Conference at New London, Connecticut, on the 15th of July following, at that time a tedious pilgrimage for such a purpose. We have only a slight account of Lee's journey in returning; only that he reached Readfield in season to preach the dedicatory sermon of the Readfield meeting-house on the twenty-first of June, 1795, this being the first Methodist church dedicated in Maine.

"The New England conference at new London, Connecticut commenced its session Wednesday July 15, 1795; 19 ministers were present. Asbury, Lee, Roberts, Priest, Pickering, Mudge, Taylor, Snethen, Smith, Ostrander and McCoombe were the most prominent members." The membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Maine were reported as follows: Portland, 36 Readfield, 232, Passamaquoddy, 50 total 318. "The entire membership in the Methodist Church, 60,291; Preachers, 313." Jesse Lee was appointed as Presiding Elder for the district that included most of New England and Maine. Circuit assignments were as follows:
Portland Circuit, Philip Wager
Penobscot Circuit, Joshua Hall
Readfield Circuit, Enoch Mudge and Elias Hull

"The Portland Circuit was the second formed in Maine. Lee had preached in several places in this part of the state. Wager was the first Preacher assigned to this circuit. The first class in Portland was formed in the early part of [1795]. The first quarterly meeting was held at Poland on [December 4, 1795]. Lee was present and administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper, for the first time on the circuit. Lee visited Maine twice before the ensuing conference as well as attending to other parts of New England. No mention is made of Lee visiting the greater Augusta, ME area until May 10 to June 17, 1796 when it is thought that he spent time in the Readfield circuit. The meeting house in Monmouth was dedicated on the last day of May, 1796. This was the second Methodist chapel in Maine.

The conference at Thompson, CT in September, 1796 again appointed Jesse Lee as Presiding Elder. Two circuits were added in Maine: Bath and Kennebec, later called Norridgewock. The labors of the preachers in Maine were remarkably successful.

"The New England Conference met for the second time in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, September 19th, 1797. Asbury being detained by sickness, Lee presided at his request and made the appointments. Good news was reported from Maine with the Portland and Readfield circuits growing by 100 and 94 members respectively. Jesse Lee was succeeded as Presiding Elder by Joshua Taylor. "The most important action of the conferences, so far as the societies in Maine were concerned was the appointment of one of the sessions of the next conference in this Province, to be held in Readfield. No longer assigned as Presiding Elder of the New England conference, Lee now spent just part of his time in New England.

Asbury entered the Province of Maine on Friday, August 17, 1798 after completing a southern tour during which he suffered ". . under severe pain and exhaustion from excessive labors and sickness." Lee accompanied him. On Wednesday, August 22, they went to Lewiston where they had appointments to preach at 2:00 and again at 4:00. When no one showed up at 2:00 they left and went on to Monmouth. Asbury preached in the open meeting-house to ". . a congregation that heard and felt the word." "[They] rode that evening to Hopkins' [Capt. Peter Hopkins] in Winthrop, where meeting was appointed in the Congregational house. Asbury was sick and Lee preached. Asbury commented that he found father Bishop, at whose house they stayed; his son and wife exceedingly kind. [Father Bishop refers to Nathaniel Bishop, a member of a class started in Winthrop in 1794 by Rev. Wager in the home of Capt. Peter Hopkins. In 1825 Nathaniel Bishop built the first chapel in Winthrop using his own funds in the amount of about $2000].

Asbury, in his journal, noted the following: "Saturday, August 25, we had to beat through the woods between Winthrop and Readfield, which are as bad as the Alleghany mountains, and the shades of death. We have now laid by our carriage and saddle to wait until Wednesday next for conference, the first of the kind ever held in these parts." "The conference at Readfield which commenced Wednesday, August 29, 1798, was a memorable event. The venerable Bishop Asbury, weary and worn by excessive travels and labors, presided. Methodism, though recent in the Province, had taken profound hold on the sympathies of the settlers, and hundreds flocked to the small village of Readfield (now called East Readfield), to witness the assembly of its pioneers in their new wilderness country." "We were engaged all day," writes Lee, "much united in love and in the work of the ministry; we had some good accounts from different places of a gracious revival of religion." "An immense throng gathered in the village. At nine o'clock the doors of the new chapel, the first erected in Maine, were opened for the 'large number of Methodists, and none else,' for a love feast together." "At eleven o'clock the doors were opened. 'From one thousand to eighteen hundred,' says Asbury, 'attended public preaching and ordination.'" "They partook of the Lord's supper together. More than two hundred persons communed. Says Lee, 'I stood astonished at the site, to see so many people at the Lord's table, when it was not quite five years since we came into this part of the world.' Thus closed the first conference in Maine." And this is a good place to close this telling of Jesse Lee's influence on the Methodist church in central Maine.

Last Updated: April 21, 2002