Strawbridge, Robert

Strawbridge, Robert, an early local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born at Drummer's Nave, near Carrick-on-Shannon, County of Leitrim, Ireland, and came to the United States some time between 1760 and 1765, settling on Sam's Creek, Frederick Co., Md. He began to preach in his own house, and in 1769 was joined in his labors by Robert Williams, and in the year following by John King. In 1773 his name appears on the Minutes as one of the preachers assisting Mr. Asbury, but there is no evidence that he continued in the work. In 1775 his name again appears as second preacher on Frederick Circuit, but he does not seem to have had much regard for Church order, and claimed the right to administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper. In 1776 he moved his family to the farm of captain Ridgely, who presented to him the use of it during life. He took charge of the society at Sam's Creek, and at Bush Forest, Hartford Co., and continued to be their preacher for five years. He died in the summer of 1781. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 7, 3; Simpson, Cyclop. of Methodism, s.v.