Pioneers in American Methodism

William Apess, born among the Pequot of Massachusetts, was the first Native American Methodist exhorter in New England and the first Native American licensed to preach by American Methodists. He is also credited as the first Native American to write and publish an autobiography. That book, A Son of the Forest, was published in 1829 then re-edited and re-released with a considerable appendix in 1831. A briefer version of the story was included in his 1833 publication, Experiences of Five Christian Indians of the Pequot Tribe. A major focus of both is on his early conversion to Christianity and on his calling and experiences as a Methodist exhorter, and, later, preacher. Many of his writings, including the appendix to the latter volume, An Indian’s Looking-Glass for the White Man, challenge the white supremacy and racism common in his day.  

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