1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Albright, Jacob

ALBRIGHT, JACOB (1759–1808), American clergyman, was born near Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of May 1759. He was of “Pennsylvania-German” parentage, his name being originally Albrecht, and was educated in the Lutheran faith. At an early age he became a tile-burner. In 1790 he was converted to Methodism, and in 1796 determined to devote himself to preaching that faith among the Pennsylvania Germans. His efforts met with great success, and in 1800 he founded what was virtually a new and independent church organization on the Methodist system, of which he became the presiding elder, and eventually (1807) bishop. This church is officially the Evangelical Association, but its adherents have been variously known as “New Methodists.” “Albrights,” and “Albright Brethren.” Albright died on the 18th of May 1808, at Mühlbach, Pennsylvania.