THE JEFFCOATS BRING METHODISM TO LEXINGTON COUNTY

Dell S. Smith was convinced Jacob's family were converted Methodist when they came to this country. They left England when the singing gospel of Methodism was sweeping through the country. John and Charles Wesley were on fire for God, and the Church of England was undergoing a revolution.

John Wesley was not in sympathy with the colonies' fight for independence, and advised the Methodist to support the King. However, later he accepted the new country and helped to establish the Methodist Church in America. Apparently, it is not known if Jacob's family supported the King or simply remained neutral. I have found no records of any Jeffcoat having fought in the Revolution, and still there is the possibility that they may have, and even died in a war such as this, without it being recorded.

Mr. Lee R. Gandee of Lexington, speaking of the area of Lynches River in Craven County, says, "That was the scene of some of the most ghastly atrocities of the Revolution, particularly acts by "Bloody" Tarleton who was not above burning a patriot house with all male members of the family shot, sabered, or simply knocked unconscious."

The Jeffcoat family is not one of great social or political prominence but they are of the simple, unpretentious pioneers who were the backbone of this great nation. They were among those who suffered the bitter hardships and roughness of the frontier, mostly farmers with calloused hands, teachers, preachers, builders, mechanics, or a mixture of two or more of these.

The most outstanding characteristic of this family is their devotion to the church. I have found there were ministers of the gospel in every generation since the sons of Samuel, son of Jacob, grew up in this country, and the tradition has been that Samuel, himself, was a missionary.