 |
Overview
Biographical Note
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Preferred Citation
Restrictions on Access
Restrictions on Use
Related Material
Subject Terms
You can print a clean version of this finding aid by selecting FIle -> Print from the menu above or you can download a nicely formatted pdf version from here
| Record Creator: | Whitefield, George |
| Title: | George Whitefield Collection |
| Dates: | 1735- 1763 |
| Abstract: | George Whitfield (1714 -1770), British evangelist, was born in Gloucester, England December 16, 1714. He became associated with the Wesleys during his time at Oxford and was a member with them of the Holy Club. He was a notable and energetic preacher who made 13 trips to America and was instrumental in the Great Awakening. He died in 1770 in Newburyport, Massachusetts. |
| Extent: | 0.82 cu. feet |
| Resource ID: | drew.ms.2432 |
George Whitfield (1714-1770) a British evangelist, was born in Gloucester, England December 16, 1714. He was educated at Pembroke College, Oxford University. While there, he became a member of the Holy Club. Through the study of Puritan literature he became convinced of "free grace" and "justification by faith only."
After graduation he became popular as a preacher of the gospel of the new birth. Whitefield and the Wesleys had a close relationship, beginning with the Holy Club. However, as Whitefield's views on predestination became more Calvinistic, his theological relationship with the Wesleys became more and more strained. In 1738, he followed the Wesleys in mission to Savannah, Georgia. From 1748, Whitefield became closely associated with the Countess of Huntingdon. As her appointed chaplain, he became deeply involved in her mission to revive the Church of England.
Whitefield may fairly be called a Calvinistic Methodist. He carried his message far and wide, including 13 trips to America.. He was one of the leading preachers of the Great Awakening. Worn out by his limitless travels and his preaching, Whitefield died of an asthma attack at Newburyport, Massachusetts on September 30, 1770.
The Whitefield collection is comprised of his correspondence dealing with a variety of topics. There are eleven letters, some original and others are copies of letters. There are two letters to Charles Wesley, one of which, written December 20, 1736, mentions Whitefield's willingness to go to Georgia. This may be the first recorded mention of his interest in the Georgia mission. . The other Charles Wesley letter was written in 1763. The remainder of the correspondence ranges over a variety of topics. Some of the letters are original, but others are copies. The remainder of the collection is made up of miscellaneous items including clippings, a funeral hymn, and a Whitefield portrait. Another other item of special note is a manuscript journal written by an unidentified Whitefield companion. It covers the period from April 24, 1740 through September 20, 1742. It covers the writer's travels with Whitefield in Georgia, but is principally a record of the writer's spiritual experiences. Finally, there is a George Whitefield Bible printed in 1761. There are notes included which provide information about its origins and the donors and owners over the years.
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
The collection is arranged on an item level and placed in chronological order where possible.
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, George Whitefield Collection, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
See the nine letters in the Countess of Huntingdon in the Drew University Methodist collection.
Bethlehem , Pennsylvania collection. University of Michigan
William Hunter collection. Royal College of Surgeons, England
George Whitefield collection. Methodist Archives and Research Centre, John Rylands University Library of Manchester, England.
| Call Number | Folder Title | Date(s) |
| 2128-3-4: 1 | Letter to an unidentified friend, April 27 (discussion about Savannah activity and orphan house; printed) | 1740 |
| 2128-3-4: 2 | Letter to Charles Wesley, December 20 (hand-written) | 1736 |
| 2128-3-4: 3 | Letter to unidentified person, January 29 (hand-written) | 1742 |
| 2128-3-4: 4 | Letter to Mrs. Gallatine, November 8 (facsimile) | 1749 |
| 2128-3-4: 5 | Letter to Mr. Loyd, February 22 ( hand-written) | 1750 |
| 2128-3-4: 6 | Letter to John Bennet, August 30 (hand-written) | 1752 |
| 2128-3-4: 7 | Hieroglyphics Letter (printed) | 1761 |
| 2128-3-4: 8 | Letter to Charles Wesley, December 26 (hand-written) | 1763 |
| 2128-3-4: 9 | Letter to Mr. Savage, March 15 (photocopy) | 1765 |
| 2128-3-4: 10 | Letter to My Dear Captain, July 28 (photocopy) | 1767 |
| 2128-3-4: 11 | Letter to Mrs. Cartret, December 7 (hand-written) | 1767 |
| 2128-3-4: 12 | Letter fragment (photocopy) | Undated |
| 2128-3-4: 13 | Fragmented Journal, November 28 (photocopy) | 1743 |
| 2128-3-4: 14 | Hymn (printed) | 1770 |
| 2128-3-4: 15 | Letter fragment (unidentified) | Undated |
| 2128-3-4: 16 | Clippings | 1740-1978 |
| 2128-3-5: 1 | Whitefield Bible | 1761 |
| 2128-3-6: 1 | Journal of unidentified Whitefield companion, April 24 - September 20 | 1740-1742 |
