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Overview
Biographical Note
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Preferred Citation
Restrictions on Access
Restrictions on Use
Related Material
Subject Terms
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| Record Creator: | Whitefield, George |
| Title: | George Whitefield Collection |
| Dates: | 1735- 1763 |
| Abstract: | George Whitfield (1714-1770) was born in Gloucester, England, on December 16, 1714. He was educated at Pembroke College, Oxford University. While there he became a member of the Holy Club. From 1748 Whitefield became closely associated with the Countess of Huntingdon. He carried his message far and wide including thirteen times to America. He was one of the leading preachers of the Great Awakening. Whitefield died of an Asthma attack at Newburyport, Massachusetts on September 30, 1770. The Whitefield collection is primarily comprised of his correspondence dealing with a variety of topics. Another item of special note is Captain William Grant's journal. Grant was a close friend and supporter of Whitefield's ministry. |
| Extent: | 0.82 cubic feet |
| Resource ID: | drew.ms.2432 |
George Whitfield (1714-1770) a British evangelist, was born in Gloucester, England December 16, 1714. He was educated at Pembroke College, Oxford University. While there, he became a member of the Holy Club. Through the study of Puritan literature he became convinced of "free grace" and "justification by faith only."
After graduation he became popular as a preacher of the gospel of the new birth. Whitefield and the Wesleys had a close relationship, beginning with the Holy Club. However, as Whitefield's views on predestination became more Calvinistic, his theological relationship with the Wesleys became more and more strained. In 1738, he followed the Wesleys in mission to Savannah, Georgia. From 1748, Whitefield became closely associated with the Countess of Huntingdon. As her appointed chaplain, he became deeply involved in her mission to revive the Church of England.
Whitefield may fairly be called a Calvinistic Methodist. He carried his message far and wide, including thirteen trips to America.. He was one of the leading preachers of the Great Awakening. Worn out by his limitless travels and his preaching, Whitefield died of an asthma attack at Newburyport, Massachusetts on September 30, 1770.
The Whitefield collection is comprised of his correspondence dealing with a variety of topics. There are eleven letters, some original and others are copies of letters. There are two letters to Charles Wesley, one of which, written December 20, 1736, mentions Whitefield's willingness to go to Georgia. This may be the first recorded mention of his interest in the Georgia mission. The other Charles Wesley letter was written in 1763. The remainder of the correspondence ranges over a variety of topics. Some of the letters are original, but others are copies. The remainder of the collection is made up of miscellaneous items including clippings, a funeral hymn, and a Whitefield portrait. Another item of special note is Captain William Grant's journal. Grant was a close friend and supporter of Whitefield. The covers the years April 24,1740 through September 20, 1742. Part of the content document's the Grant's travels with Whitefield in Georgia. But the primarily focus is on Grant's spiritual experiences. Finally, there is a George Whitefield Bible printed in 1761. There are notes included which provide information about its origins and the donors and owners over the years. The single artifact in the collection is small hand bone purported to be from Whitefield. The bone was donated to the Drew University Methodist Collection in 1982.
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
The collection is arranged on an item level and placed in chronological order where possible.
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, George Whitefield Collection, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
See the nine letters in the Countess of Huntingdon in the Drew University Methodist collection.
Bethlehem , Pennsylvania collection. University of Michigan
William Hunter collection. Royal College of Surgeons, England
George Whitefield collection. Methodist Archives and Research Centre, John Rylands University Library of Manchester, England.
| Call Number | Folder Title | Date(s) |
| 2128-3-4: 1 | Letter to an unidentified friend, April 27 (discussion about Savannah activity and orphan house; printed) | 1740 |
| 2128-3-4: 2 | Letter to Charles Wesley, December 20 (hand-written) | 1736 |
| 2128-3-4: 3 | Letter to unidentified person, January 29 (hand-written) | 1742 |
| 2128-3-4: 4 | Letter to Mrs. Gallatine, November 8 (facsimile) | 1749 |
| 2128-3-4: 5 | Letter to Mr. Loyd, February 22 ( hand-written) | 1750 |
| 2128-3-4: 6 | Letter to John Bennet, August 30 (hand-written) | 1752 |
| 2128-3-4: 7 | Hieroglyphics Letter (printed) | 1761 |
| 2128-3-4: 8 | Letter to Charles Wesley, December 26 (hand-written) | 1763 |
| 2128-3-4: 9 | Letter to Mr. Savage, March 15 (photocopy) | 1765 |
| 2128-3-4: 10 | Letter to My Dear Captain, July 28 (photocopy) | 1767 |
| 2128-3-4: 11 | Letter to Mrs. Cartret, December 7 (hand-written) | 1767 |
| 2128-3-4: 12 | Letter fragment (photocopy) | Undated |
| 2128-3-4: 13 | Fragmented Journal, November 28 (photocopy) | 1743 |
| 2128-3-4: 14 | Hymn (printed) | 1770 |
| 2128-3-4: 15 | Letter fragment (unidentified) | Undated |
| 2128-3-4: 16 | Clippings | 1740-1978 |
| 2128-3-5: 1 | Whitefield Bible | 1761 |
| 2128-3-6: 1 | Captain William Grant Journal, April 24 - September 20 | 1740-1742 |
