Kibby, Epaphras

Kibby, Epaphras, a Methodist minister, was born in Somers, Connecticut, in 1777. In 1793 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at New London, and immediately became active in religious duties, and in 1798 entered the ministry. Through his labors Methodism was introduced into Bath and Hallowell, Maine. Melville B. Cox, the first foreign missionary of the M. E. Church, was converted under his preaching in the latter place. He also formed the first Methodist society in New Bedford. He was a local preacher eleven years; returned superannuated in 1841, in which relation he continued till his death, Sept. 8,1864. Kibby's habits of study were careful and close, as shown in his accurately-trained reasoning powers, as well as his elegant and forcible diction. He was passionately fond of choice literature and poetry, and was himself a poet of taste and considerable ability. His pulpit talents were of a superior order, his judgment cool and clear, his piety deep and uniform. See Conf. Minutes, 1865, p. 60; Stevens, History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 4:35, 72, 73,481. (J. L. S.)