Reed, Nelson

Reed, Nelson a pioneer minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Ann Arundel County, Md., Nov. 27, 1751. Nothing positive is known of his early history. In 1779 his name appears on the minutes as a travelling preacher, and he is believed to have thus preached for four years. His appointments were, in 1779 to Fluvanna; in 1780, Amelia; in 1781, Calvert; in 1782, Little York; in 1783, Caroline; in 1784, Dover. From 1785 to 1795 he had the charge of districts in Maryland and Virginia. In 1796 he was stationed at Fell's Point; in 1797, at Baltimore city; in 1798, at Fell's Point again; in 1799, on Baltimore Circuit. In 1800 his name is found among those "who are under a location through illness of body or family concerns," and it disappears now from the minutes until 1805, when we find him again on the Baltimore Circuit. The next year he was placed in charge of the Federal and Annapolis Circuit. In 1807, 1808, 1809, and 1810 he presided over the Baltimore District, on which were stationed at that time some of the strong men of the itinerancy. In 1811, 1812,1813, and 1814 he presided over the Georgetown District. In 1815 we find him on the Baltimore District again, where he presided four years. Inl 1819 he stands connected with the Baltimore Circuit as a supernumerary. In 1820 his name appears on the super-annuated list; in this relation he continued till the close of his life. At the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 20, 1840, he was the oldest Methodist preacher in Europe or America. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1840; Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 7:68-70.