A Short Account of the Christian Experience and Ministerial Labors of William Watters

Williams Watters (1751-1827) was the first American-born Methodist circuit rider. He preached extensively during the American Revolution, and helped shape the Methodist church into what it was later to become.

His autobiography is an extremely rare book. To purchase a print copy may cost you upwards of $250, making it a book that most have been unable to read. 

This is a great book, a great testimony of the power of God, and great look at early American history.

The Table of Contents is as follows:

Part The First – Birth October 16, 1751 – Conversion May, 1771
Chapter 1 – Birth October 16, 1751
Chapter 2 – Heard The Methodists – July, 1770
Chapter 3 – Conversion – May, 1771
Chapter 4 – Summer Of 1771
Chapter 5 – Fall Of 1771
Part Second – 1772 – 1776
Chapter 6 – Entered The Itinerant Ministry – October 1772
Chapter 7 – Winter Of 1772-1773
Chapter 8 – Spring Of 1773
Chapter 9 – June, 1773 – First Methodist Conference In America
Chapter 10 – August, 1773
Chapter 11 – November, 1773 – Kent Circuit
Chapter 12 – Longed To Be Sanctified Wholly
Chapter 13 – May, 1774 – Philadelphia Conference – Sent To Trenton N. J. Circuit
Chapter 14 – At Trenton When Hancock And Adams Passed Through
Chapter 15 – Moved To Chester Circuit
Chapter 16 – May, 1775 – Conference At Philadelphia – Sent To Frederick Circuit
Chapter 17 – July, 1775 – Gracious Revival On Frederick Circuit
Chapter 18 – Nov. 1775 – Quart. Meeting At Leesburg – Sent To Fairfax Circuit
Chapter 19 – Rumors Of The Impending Revolutionary War – A Fast Appointed
Part Third – 1776 – 1780
Chapter 20 – May, 1776 – Conference At Baltimore – Sent To Fairfax Circuit
Chapter 21 – Fall Of 1776 – Visited Berkeley Cir., Attended Quarterly Meeting
Chapter 22 – Last Two Quarters Of The Conference-year On Frederick Circuit
Chapter 23 – May, 1777 – Conf. At Deer Creek – Appointed To Brunswick Circuit
Chapter 24 – On Brunswick Circuit, Met Several Who Were Sanctified Wholly
Chapter 25 – August, 1777 – Quarterly Meeting At Mayberry's Chapel
Chapter 26 – Fall Of 1777 – Sent To Pittsylvania Circuit
Chapter 27 – Fall Of 1777 – Quarterly Meeting – Appointed To Sussex Circuit
Chapter 28 – January, 1778 – Set Out For Sussex Circuit
Chapter 29 – Outpouring Of The Spirit – Strong Cries/prayers For Perfect Love
Chapter 30 – Watters' Earnest Seeking For Entire Sanctification
Chapter 31 – Watters Filled With Assurance Concerning His Sanctification
Chapter 32 – May 1778 – Conference At Leesburg – Appointed To Fairfax Circuit
Chapter 33 – Watters' Marriage To Sarah Adams – June 6, 1778
Chapter 34 – Fall Of 1778 – Tour Of Prince William, Stafford, King George, Spottsylvania, Hanover Circuits
Chapter 35 – April 28, 1779 – Special Conference At Judge White's – May 18, 1779, Regular Conference At Fluvanna
Chapter 36 – April-May, 1779 – Appointed To Baltimore Circuit
Chapter 37 – Last Quarterly Meeting Of The 1779-80 Church Year
Chapter 38 – Appointed To Frederick Circuit At Last Quarterly Meeting 1779-80
Chapter 39 – January, 1780 – Preached His Brother-in-law's Funeral
Part Fourth – 1780 – 1783
Chapter 40 – April 24, 1780 – Conf. At Baltimore – Sent To Frederick Circuit
Chapter 41 – April 19-20, 1781 – Quarterly Meeting On Fairfax Circuit
Chapter 42 – April 24, 1781 – Conference At Baltimore
Chapter 43 – Near June, 1781 – Went To Baltimore Circuit
Chapter 44 – Fall Of 1781
Chapter 45 – April, 1782
Chapter 46 – May 21, 1782 – Conference In Baltimore
Chapter 47 – Last Quart. Meeting 1782-83 – Appointed To Hanover Circuit
Chapter 48 – May 27, 1783 – Conf. At Baltimore – Appointed To Calvert Circuit
Part Fifth – 1784 – 1801
Chapter 49 – 1784
Chapter 50 – December 25, 1784 – Christmas Conf. Org. Of The M. E. Church
Chapter 51 – 1786 – Conference In Abingdon – Brief Time On Berkeley Circuit
Chapter 52 – Visited Richard Owen For The Last Time
Chapter 53 – December 25, 1788 – Death Of Watters' Mother-in-law
Chapter 54 – The Remarkable Of Lewis Hipkin's Sickness And Death
Part Sixth – 1801 – 1806
Chapter 55 – May 1, 1801 – Conference At Pipe Creek, Stationed At Alexandria
Chapter 56 – May 1, 1802 – Conference At Baltimore, Stationed At Georgetown
Chapter 57 – January, 1803
Chapter 58 – May 1, 1803 – Conf. At Baltimore, Appointed Again To Alexandria
Chapter 59 – April 27, 1804 – Conf. In Alexandria, Re-appointed To Alexandria
Chapter 60 – April 1, 1805 – Conf. In Winchester, Appointed To Washington City
The Conclusion