User:WilyD/William Case/Isaac B. Smith

Isaac B. Smith was a Methodist circuit rider.

He was accepted on trial as a Methodist circuit rider by the New York Conference in 1807, and assigned to the Oswegotchie Circuit. In 1808, he was assigned to the Niagara Circuit. In 1809, he was assigned to the Albany Circuit in New York, where he served as an assistant to Nathan Bangs. In 1811, he was back in Upper Canada, riding the Niagara Circuit once again, working alongside Peter Covenhoven. In 1812 he moved to the Bay of Quinte Circuit, where he rode alongside John Reynolds.

During the War of 1812, Smith dropped out of the ranks of Circuit Riders, settling in Upper Canada, possibly in the Niagara region. The cause of his decision to quit circuit riding is not recorded, but he may have felt awkward with his status as an American trapped in Upper Canada. He began circuit riding again in 1815, on the Smith's Creek Circuit. In 1816, he rode the Yonge Street Circuit. In 1817, he was assigned to the Ancaster circuit, which saw a membership increase of 34 people. In 1818, he was assigned to the Niagara circuit, labouring alongside George Ferguson. That year, membership in the Methodism church on the Niagara circuit decreased from 796 to 690 people.

In 1819, he remained on the Niagara circuit, Ferguson was replaced by Daniel Shepherdson. Membership in the Episcopal church decreased to 618 on that circuit that year. In 1820, he was re-assigned to the Westminister circuit, where he rode alongside Samuel Belton. The pair oversaw a decrease in church membership. In 1821, he was assigned to the Long Point circuit, where he rode alongside William H. Williams. Membership in the church decreased by seventy-eight. Large decreases in church membership were a problem that plagued circuits ridden by Smith. In 1822, he was assigned to Ancaster circuit. Circuit membership decreased by eighty four. In 1823, he was reassigned to Ancaster, riding with David Culp. Church membership decreased that year a further eighty two. During the year, Smith's health declined, and he was replaced partway through the year by Joseph Messmore. His declining health lead to him being superannuated at the year's end.