William Seward (preacher)

William Seward (3 January 1702 – 22 October 1740) was a Methodist open-air preacher who was killed while preaching. He is sometimes called the "first Methodist martyr".

Seward was born in Badsey, Worcestershire and was the brother of Thomas Seward.[1] William went to London where he established himself in business. He met Charles Wesley in 1738, and went with George Whitefield on his first tour of America in 1739.[2]

Seward started preaching in 1740. He was stoned by a crowd at Hay-on-Wye and died a few days later.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ "Seward family, of Badsey, near Evesham". Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  2. ^ "William Seward's Diary". Chetham's Library. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  3. ^ Sparrow, Terry (2002). A Brief History of Badsey and Aldington. Badsey Society.
  4. ^ Thomas, Graham C. G. (1990). "George Whitefield and friends : the correspondence of some early Methodists". National Library of Wales Journal. 26 (3): 263. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
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