McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
William Watters
December 27, 2016
1. William Watters Marker
Inscription.
William Watters (1751-1827) was appointed to a circuit at the first American Methodist Conference in Philadelphia in 1773, making him the first officially appointed American-born Methodist itinerant circuit rider. During the Revolutionary War American Methodism, a movement within the Church of England grew, although most English-born Methodist ministers left the country. In 1780 Watters helped avert a division between northern Methodist societies and those farther south over preachers performing the ordinances of communion and baptism. Following American independence, the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed and American preachers were ordained. Watters, who served circuits in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, is buried nearby.
William Watters (1751-1827) was appointed to a circuit at the first American Methodist Conference in Philadelphia in 1773, making him the first officially appointed American-born Methodist itinerant circuit rider. During the Revolutionary War American Methodism, a movement within the Church of England grew, although most English-born Methodist ministers left the country. In 1780 Watters helped avert a division between northern Methodist societies and those farther south over preachers performing the ordinances of communion and baptism. Following American independence, the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed and American preachers were ordained. Watters, who served circuits in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, is buried nearby.
Erected 2015 by The Fairfax County History Commission.
Location. 38° 55.493′ N, 77° 9.742′ W. Marker is in McLean, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Linway Terrace west of Birch Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mc Lean VA 22101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2017. This page has been viewed 746 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2017. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.