Newman, Jonathan

Newman, Jonathan a noted pioneer minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, flourished near the opening of this century. Of his early personal history we know scarcely anything. In 1791 we find him laboring in the Wyoming valley, which unites Pennsylvania and New York, and later in Otsego County, N. Y., where he was instrumental in forming the district. This county was at that time wild and sparsely settled, with scarcely any roads and many destitute people. Newman by indefatigable industry succeeded in rallying many to the Christian work, and when the district was formed eighty members were reported as belonging to it. He next extended his labors over the Mohawk valley, and when Garrettson (q.v.) came into that region Newman's preparatory work proved more service, able than had been expected. He was "a mighty preacher, and usually in the advance line of attack," and wherever he went he made friends and converts. Newman died and was buried on the Otsego Circuit about the opening of the present century. See Peck, Early Methodism, p. 174 sq.; Stevens, Hist. M. E. Ch. 2:329, 330. (J. H. W.)