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Overview
Biographical Note
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Preferred Citation
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| Record Creator: | Summerfield, John |
| Title: | John Summerfield Papers |
| Dates: | 1807- 1842 |
| Abstract: | John Summerfield (1798-1825) was born January 31,1798 in Preston, England. In 1817 he converted to Methodism and the next year became a local preacher. Summerfield was an outstanding preacher and orator. Summerfield's health failed quickly hastened by a severe lung hemorrhage. By 1823 his activity was greatly curtailed. He suffered another severe illness and died June 13, 1825 at the age of 27. |
| Extent: | 1.35 cu. feet |
| Resource ID: | drew.ms.2424 |
John Summerfield (1798-1825) was Methodist preacher active in England, Ireland and the United States. He was born January 31, 1798 in Preston, England. He educated at the Moravian School in London where he majored in the Classics. In 1817 he converted to Methodism, and the next year became a local preacher. Summerfield was an outstanding preacher and orator. His sermons and addresses attracted large audiences in Ireland and England.
In 1821, he came to America after suffering a severe illness. The Troy Conference admitted him, and in 1822 he was preaching in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. As in England, Summerfield was enthusiastically received by large congregations. Some regarded him as the most illustrious orator in America. Summerfield's health failed quickly, hastened by a severe lung hemorrhage. By 1823 his activity was greatly curtailed. To accommodate this health condition, the American Bible Society appointed him as a delegate to the Protestant Bible Society in France, and to represent the Society in England. When he returned to America, he was appointed to the Missionary Board of the Philadelphia Conference to travel and represent the Society in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. While in this role, he helped found the American Tract Society. He suffered another severe illness and died June 13, 1825, at the age of 27.
The Summerfield Papers consists of numerous letters in various categories. There is general correspondence consisting of letters to friends in Ireland (1807-1825); letters to family (1816-1825); and letters to his father (1822-1824). The collection also includes Summerfield's ordination certificate signed by Bishop William Mc Kendree. There are numerous manuscript commentaries, notes on the Bible, as well as manuscript sermons. Also, located within the collection is a partial manuscript diary and journal from 1818 to 1819 as well as 1824 records some of his work. There are also miscellaneous papers from Summerfield's brother-in-law, James Blackstock, including his account book and notes about John Summerfield's father, William Summerfield.
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
This collection was arranged by record type with an additional arrangement of calendar dates within each folder.
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, John Summerfield 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.
There are no restrictions regarding this collection. 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.
Holland, John, Memoirs of the Life and History of the Rev. John Summerfield. New York. William A. Mercein 1829. True, Joseph, An Abridgement of Holland's Life of Summerfield New York, January 25, 1838.
| Call Number | Folder Title | Date(s) |
| 2128-4-1: 1 | General Correspondence | 1819-1824 |
| 2128-4-1: 2 | General Correspondence: Family | 1816-1825 |
| 2128-4-1: 3 | Correspondence to and from friends in Ireland and about Summerfield | 1807-1842 |
| 2128-4-1: 4 | Corrrespondence to his Father | 1822-1824 |
| 2128-4-1: 5 | Summerfield's Ordination Certificate and a Hymn Text | 1822-1824 |
| 2128-4-1: 6 | Summerfield Photographs and Memorial Grave Marker | 1821-1825 |
| 2128-4-1: 7 | James Blackstock Account Book | 1832-1842 |
| 2128-4-1: 8 | Biographical Materials Relating to Summerfield - Joseph True's Abridgement of Holland's Biography and Danforth's Biographical Portrait of Summerfield | 1838 |
| 2128-4-2: 1 | Manuscript Commentaries on Books of the Bible | Undated |
| 2128-4-2: 2 | Manuscript Sermons | Undated |
| 2128-4-2: 3 | Manuscript Notes on Bible and General Note Books | Undated |
| 2128-4-2: 4 | Note Book listing Facts and Subjects in the Bible and Index of Places Where Sumerfield Preached | Undated |
| 2128-4-3: 1 | Sermon Books with Index of Texts and Subjects | Undated |
| 2128-4-3: 2 | Diary and Journal including Financial Records | 1818-1824 |
