User:WilyD/William Case/Isaac Puffer

Isaac Puffer (20th June, 1784 - ) was a Methodist circuit rider.

Puffer was born in Westminster, Massachusetts to Isaac and Sarah Puffer. In 1789, they moved to Otsego County, New York. His parent converted to Methodism in 1792, and he was also inducted into the church. In 1800, they moved to Lewis County.

In 1809, Puffer was accepted on trial as a circuit rider by the New York Conference. He was assigned to the Otsego circuit, within the bounds of the newly created Genesee conference.

In 1817, he was assigned to the Augusta circuit. There he was assisted by Elias Pattie and Thomas Demorest. Membership in the Methodist church on the Augusta circuit increased from 505 to 822 members that year. In 1818, he was assigned to the Bay of Quinte circuit. Membership in the Methodist church increased by 52 people that year. He remained on the Bay of Quinte circuit in 1819, alongside James Wilson. The pair oversaw a loss of 38 members of the Episcopal church, while the British Wesleyans had an increase of 50 in the same area. In 1820, he was reassigned to the Niagara circuit. There he was assisted by John Elliot, who was not a licensed circuit rider, but had been assigned by the district's presiding elder. The Lynn's Creek circuit was broken off from Niagara that year, between the two, the Episcopal church saw a decrease in membership of 67 people. In 1821, he was assigned to the Niagara circuit. There he was assisted by John Tackaberry. He oversaw an increase in church membership of sixty people.