[Diary entries from May 29–30,1790]

William McKendree. [Diary entries from May 29–30,1790]. Holograph diary. William McKendree Papers. 

William McKendree was the first American-born bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was born in King William County, Virginia, on July 6, 1757. He was the eighth child of John and Mary McKendree. William’s father was a planter but not one of great fortune, but upon moving to Sumner County, Tennessee he was gifted a 300 acre farm by Reverend James Gwin he lived comfortably with his family until he passed in 1810. William was close to his family and often mentions them in his diaries and visits them in Tennessee whenever he is traveling close by.

William joined the army during the Revolutionary War, rose to the rank of adjutant, and was present when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. By 1790, when this diary was written, McKendree was a committed Methodist, having been initially exposed to Methodism in the mid 1770s.

In June of 1790, McKendree was elected as a full minister and ordained deacon having shown his solid exhortation skills and proficiency as a circuit rider and leader. He was then sent to be the Portsmouth Circuit preacher, where he further honed his skills.

For more information on Bishop William McKendree and this diary seehttps://www.whdl.org/sites/default/files/resource/4567776/Hoss_William_McKendree_ArchiveOrg.pdf?language=en