There is reason to believe that the pioneers of Methodism visited the county within a very few years after the principles of the society were first proclaimed in America, and that occasionally some preacher would hold forth in some of our churches, schoolhouses or private houses as early as 1774 Some uncertainty exists as to where the first preachers held services in the county, owing to the fact that the early heroes of Methodism were not always very precise in giving the names of places where they preached, dates and other particulars interesting to the historian of the present day. The most complete and satisfactory journal is that of the faithful, zealous, untiring Bishop Francis Asbury, which is the more remarkable as it is doubtful if any minister of any denomination ever performed as much labor as he did in traveling and preaching. We append extracts from his journal relating to his labors in Monmouth. Other preachers had preceded him. Bev. William Watters, the first Methodist traveling preacher of American birth, was stationed in our State in 1774, and he may have visited our county, though he makes no mention of it in his journal. That earnest minister of the Gospel, Rev. Benjamin Abbott, visited old Monmouth in 1778. Mr. Abbott, in his journal, speaks of preaching in various parts of old Monmouth now composed within the limits of Ocean county, among which ware Mannahawkin, Waretown, Goodluck and Toms River. But after leaving Toms River he omits to name places; he merely uses such expressions as "at mv next appointment," &c., without naming where it was. He probably preached at Freehold and other places within the limits of the present county of Monmouth.

Rev. John Atkinson, in his "Memorials of Methodism in New Jersey," says:

"The Methodist Society of Monmouth (Freehold?) must have been formed at an early period, probably about 1780, as in that year Job Throckmorton, of Freehold, was converted under the ministry of Rev. Richard Garretson, and became a member of the society. He was one of the first members in that region. The Methodists were much persecuted there at that time. His house was a home for preachers, and very likely Asbury was entertained at his dwelling during his visits to Freehold. Everitt, Freeborn Garretson, Ezekiel Cooper, Ware and others, were accustomed to stop at his house. He was accustomed to relate incidents of Rev. Benjamin Abbott's powerful ministry, one of which is as follows:

"On one occasion meeting was held in the woods, and after Freeborn Garretson had preached, Abbott arose and looked around over the congregation very significantly, and exclaimed: 'Lord, begin the work! Lord, begin the work now'. Lord, begin the work just there!' pointing at the same time towards a man who was standing beside a tree, and the man fell as suddenly as if he had been shot, and cried aloud for mercy."

In 1786 Trenton circuit probably included Trenton, Pemberton, Mount Holly, Burlington and Monmouth, Reverends Robert Sparks and Robert Cann, preachers. In 1787 Rev. Ezekiel Cooper and Rev. Nathaniel B. Mills were the preachers. In 1788 Revs. John Merrick, Thomas Morrell and Jettus Johnson were the preachers.