The Life, Experience, and Travels of John Colby: Volume II

Colby, Rev. John, who joined the Freewill Baptists in 1799, was born inSandwich, N. H., December 9, 1787. When fifteen years of age his father moved to Sutton, Vt. In 1805 became a Christian and was baptized on the 8th of December.He began his labors as a preacher. Soon after he made a journey to Ohio. Arriving at Springfield, Vt., he received ordination at the hands of two ministers on the 30th of November, 1809. He then took up his journey, preaching as he went, going through New York, Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, and into Indiana, which was then a territory. He then turned about in his course, and passing through northern Ohio, and so on eastward, reached his father's home on the 6th of July, having been gone eight months. The year 1811 was spent in New Hampshire, where interesting revivals were witnessed, especially in Eaton and Meredith.In December of that year he witnessed a gracious outpouring of God'sspirit in Montville, Me. He baptized eighty-eight, who with some others were organized into a church. From 1812 to 18I7 he preached in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Great success attended his labors, Colby was not strong in body, when he went to New York Cityin March, 1817. In the fall it became necessary for him to seek a warmer climate, so he went as far south as Norfolk, Va., where he arrived the 31St of October. Twice he was carried to the church and preached. He continued to fail rapidly, and died Nov. 23, 1817. His only publication was a volume of his life down to 1815. The biography was afterwards completed by the addition of his journal, and several editions of the book have been published