John Wesley
John Wesley (1703-1791) founded Methodism along with his brother, Charles in England. After studying at Oxford, Wesley joined his brother's small religious group of men who were interested in spiritual growth. Wesley became a prominent member of this religious circle which became known as the Methodists. In 1735 Wesley journeyed to the new colony of Georgia to spread the new religious views of Methodism, but he was unsuccessful. He returned home to England and toured the country tirelessly establishing Methodist societies across the country. Wesley was instrumental in funding and supporting the spread of Methodism in America and the creation of Methodist societies in the colonies.
Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) was the younger brother of John Wesley and co-founder of Methodism. Wesley was a great hymn writer and contributed greatly to the formation of modern Methodism. After being rejected by the settlers in Georgia, Wesley and his brother returned to England where they together would train Methodist preachers and disperse them throughout England and the American colonies.
Francis Asbury
Francis Asbury (1745-1816) was one of the first bishops of the Methodist church. John Wesley appointed Asbury a traveling preacher at the age of twenty-two. He volunteered to spread Methodism in America in 1771 and within a year Methodist membership doubled in the colonies. When the Revolutionary War started in America, Asbury was the only Methodist minister to stay.
Freeborn Garrettson
Freeborn Garrettson (1752- 1827) was the first American-born Methodist preacher in the colonies. Though he favored the revolutionary cause, he was jailed for not fighting in the Revolutionary War in Maryland for a time. Garrettson was a staunch anti-slavery supporter, and as he traveled he both taught Methodism and inspired people to free their slaves. Garrettson's preaching directly led to Richard Allen's freedom as his master was so struck by Garrettson's anti-slavery speech that he began to free his slaves. Garrettson had a big hand in freeing slaves in the Delmarva Peninsula and by 1810 76% of African-Americans in Delaware were free even though slavery was still legal.
Harry Hosier
Harry Hosier (1750-1806) was a renowned Methodist preacher. "Black Harry," as he was also known, was instrumental in spreading Methodism in the new world, traveling widely to preach and spread abolitionist sentiments. Though illiterate, Hosier had an amazing presence and was one of the most popular and talented preachers of his time. Hosier was so popular that it is said people in the territory that is now Indiana adopted Hosier's religious and anti-slavery ideals to such an extent that they became known as "Hoosiers" to outsiders. Indiana is now known as the "Hoosier State" and citizens from Indiana refer to themselves as Hoosiers.