User:WilyD/William Case/William Anson

William Anson was a Methodist circuit rider.

Anson was born in the United States, but after being received on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1800, his first assignment was to Canada, where he rode the Bay of Quinte Circuit. His senior colleage on the circuit was Sylvanus Keeler. He remained in Canada the next year, but was moved to the Oswegotchie Circuit, with James Aikens as his assistant. In 1802 he was assigned to Grand Isle, in the American part of Lake Champlain. In 1803 he was moved to Vergennes Circuit. He returned to Canada in 1805, riding the Home District. He returned to his native United States in 1806, riding the Pitsfield Circuit. Following this, he rode the South Britain Circuit in 1807. At the 1808 conference, he was made Presiding Elder of the Ashgrove District, a position he remained in through 1811. He spent 1812 and 1813 as Presiding Elder of the Rhinebeck District. He bounced around as a superintendent after this, in the circuits of Duchess, Rhinebeck, Saratoga, Pittstown, Chatham, Hudson and Pittsfield through 1822.

Anson was declared a supernumerary in 1823, but was placed in charge of Ballstown Spa and Saratoga Springs. These were light duties, and Anson had another supernumerary preacher as a colleage. He remained in this position through 1838. He was superannuated in 1839, and died in 1848.