Rev.J.D.Folsom’s letter to C.C.Fellows [regarding the beginning of Methodism in Sandwich]

In 1805, perhaps before the close of this Conference year, there were baptized in Sandwich by "Elder Dustin" the following — Gilman Smith, Anna Smith, Fanny Glines and others....

Also in 1805. L. Bates and W. Bannister were on Tuftonboro’ Circuit. It is quite probable that Bates traveled into some parts of Sandwich while he was on this Circuit.

Not far from this time the first Class was formed, consisting of Joseph Skinner, Elijah Skinner, a Mrs. Beede and three others. Joseph Skinner was the first Class Leader.

 Miss Watson says she has heard
an old   lady say, Lewis  Bates
was the   first  to   introduce
Methodism into Sandwich, and that "Father Skinner" was the first to open his house to Methodist preaching.

Mrs. Burnham says the first
 Class Meeting was held at
the house of Joseph Smith’s parents. BradburY Prescott is said to have been one of the first members.

I think we shall have to decide that Methodist meetings began in the Red Hill District and in the more south eastern parts of the town at about the same time,and the first meetingswere held in Mrs. Beede’s  house, which stood near E. Hoag’s,  where Glines now lives. E.  Skinner lived here afterward, and here also lived one Presiding Elder.