Gravestones of James Thorne and Catherine Thorne Goss Coll.

In Devonshire, O’Bryan’s new preachers were dedicated followers from farming families on both sides of the Tamar River. James and Samuel Thorne of Lake Farm, Shebbear were listed among the first converts and helpers in the new church. James was soon to become the second leader of the denomination while his brother, Samuel, took on the responsibility of printer of the official literature of the fledgling sect. Assuming the title of General Superintendent, Rev. William O’Bryan brought his family from Kilkhampton and Launceston, Cornwall to their new headquarters at Holsworthy, Devon and later at Plymouth,

Devon.

At first, O’Bryan did not go to Shebbear as the people there had an Anglican parson, Rev. Daniel Evans, who preached with great earnestness. However, later he came to Shebbear by invitation of the Thorne family of Lake Farm. John Thorne was an above-average agriculturist, deeply religious, and called a “Methody”. His wife, Mary, was equally remarkable. They had three

sons, James, John, and Samuel, and a daughter, Mary.

During O’Bryan’s campaign in the neighborhood, the Thornes resolved to invite him to their home to spend a night. On October 9, 1815, people assembled at Lake Farm during the evening, and the parlor and kitchen were filled. After preaching for a great time, O’Bryan was pressed by about thirty people to form a class. Eventually, twenty-two gave their names and thus came into being a com-

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