1786 THOMAS COKE. Wonderful Irish Methodist Letter of Circuit Transfer w/ Six Early Irish Methodist Class Tickets

A wonderful little gem of an item from the early days of Irish Methodism, offering a letter of Circuit transfer signed by the famous Irish Methodist, Nehemiah Price, and affirmed by Thomas Coke.

This is from the earliest period of Irish Methodism. By 1786, only 17 Annual Conferences had been held in Ireland, with the first truly Annual Conference being held in 1782, just one year prior to William McDole's earliest class ticket. The twelve Conferences before 1782 were sporadic.

Nehemiah Price was one of the earliest of the Irish Methodist circuit preachers and an original member of Wesley's "Legal Hundred." Price was from Tonyloman originally and attended a small class in Fermagh in 1762 and is recorded as having been sent out to preach around Enniskillen with John Smith as early as 1768. 

Thomas Coke, of course, is one of the most recognizable names in Methodism. The present must have been penned quite literally on his way out the door from Ireland to embark on his first Mission to the West Indies.

In the hand of Nehemiah Price:

"William McDole, the Bearer, 
is a member of our Society
in [?]illmore, Ireland. (He is a
pious young man). I believe he
has sufficient cause for removing
Clones July 2nd 1786. Neh: Price"

In the hand of Thomas Coke:

"I am well acquainted with our Brother Price the assistant of the Clones Circuit who has signed the above, & am well-assured that he would not give a note of  Recommendation to any one whom he did not believe worth of it. Thomas Coke"

Below the two autograph notes of attestation are six very early Methodist class tickets, each signed by William McDole, though the name varies; Will. C. McDowell, Will. McDole, Wm M'Doole, and Wm McDowell are all present. The tickets date from December 1783, December 1784, June 1785, September 1785, March 1786, and June 1786. 

Tickets from this period, especially or Irish origin, are very scarce indeed. 

Fair condition with old tissue repairs; complete however and a wonderful item.