Peter Cartwright Collection

Title

Peter Cartwright Collection

Subject

Cartwright, Peter, 1785-1872
Clergy
Illinois--Pleasant Plains
Methodists
Legislators
Politicians
Illinois. General Assembly. House of Representatives

Description

Peter Cartwright was a Methodist circuit rider and member of the Illinois General Assembly. Cartwright served the Methodist Church in Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio. Cartwright became a presiding elder in 1812. He was a founding member of the Illinois Annual Conference (1924), eventually settling in Pleasant Plains. He initially ran religious classes from his home until he donated $300 and the land to build a church building. The church divided into two congregations after a period of large growth, one remaining in the original building and the other founding Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. Cartwright is known as the "father of Illinois Methodism."

Cartwright was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1828-1832. One of his opponents for what would be his second term was Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln successfully ran against Cartwright a second time in 1846, this time for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.

Photographs in this collection include portraits of Peter Cartwright and images of Cartwright's grave and historic marker in Pleasant Plains.

Collection Items

Peter Cartwright
Peter Cartwright sits for a portrait. On verso: "Jubilee of M[ethodist] E. Ill. Conf. in honor of Cartwright's 50 years presiding elder, leed at Lincoln, 1869."

Peter Cartwright and Frances Gaines Cartwright
Peter Cartwright and his wife, Frances Gaines Cartwright, sit side by side for a portrait. Photo caption: "Engraved by T. Johnson from daguerreotype, about 1866, in possession of L. C. Pitner."On verso: "From Century magazine, v. 23, no. 4 (Feb…

Peter Cartwright
Peter Cartwright poses for a portrait wearing a dark suit.Photo signature: "Yours respectfully Peter Cartwright"

Peter Cartwright Gravestone and Monument
The gravestone and monument for Peter Cartwright and his wife, Frances Gaines Cartwright, stands in Pleasant Plains Cemetery.

Peter Cartwright Historic Marker
A historic marker for Peter Cartwright stands in a grassy area. The sign reads, "Near Pleasant Plains the famous Methodist circuit rider, Peter Cartwright, made his home from 1824 until his death in 1872. His powerful preaching led many thousands…
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