Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Strawbridge, Robert

STRAWBRIDGE, Robert, pioneer, b. in Drummer's Nave, near Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, Ireland; d. in Maryland in 1781. He came to this country some time between 1760 and 1765, settled on Sam's creek, Frederick co., Md., and soon opened his house for religious services. Shortly afterward a Methodist society was formed, and a place of worship, known as the Log meeting-house, was erected. Mr. Strawbridge now travelled constantly through the state, forming new socities, and in order that he might go on these journeys his farm was cultivated for him by his neighbors. After residing on Sam's creek about sixteen years he removed to Long Green, Baltimore county, where the use of a farm had been given him for his life. He died while he was on one of his preaching tours. It is a matter of dispute whether he or Philip Embury founded the first Methodist society and built the first chapel in this country, but most authorities give Embury priority. A full discussion of the point may be found in Joseph B. Wakeley's “Lost Chapters Recovered from the Early History of American Methodism” (New York, 1858), and John Atkinson's “Centennial History of American Methodism” (1884).