Susanna Wesley and family

Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) was the mother of John and Charles Wesley.

She is known as the Mother of Methodism because conscious or unconsciously would have applied the example and teachings and circumstances of their home life.

Susanna was the 25th of 25 children to be born into the Annesley Family. Her father Dr. Samuel Annesly was a Dissenter from the established church of England .

Aged 12 she stopped attending her father’s church and joined the Church of England.

She married Samuel Wesley on 12th November 1688 when she was 20, he was 27. They had 19 children. 9 died as infants - 4 were twins and one was accidentally smothered by a maid. When she died, aged 73, only 8 were still alive.

Her husband was a very authoritarian rector and unpopular with the people at Epworth - they tried twice to burn the rectory down. He was rescued from debtors prison by the personal intervention of Archbishop Sharpe of York. He left her for a year because of a minor dispute.

Susanna took responsibility for her children. She imposed s strict daily routine. From birth they were put into a regular METHOD of living. At a year old they were taught to fear the rod and to cry softly. They had 3 meals a day. At 6 in the evening, after family prayers, they had supper, washed and put to bed.
Aged 5 formal education began - they attended lessons for 6 hours a day. On day one they were expected to learn the alphabet - 2 daughters took a day and 1/2
She had the happy talent of imbuing a child’s mind with every kind of useful knowledge in such a way as to stamp it indelibly on the memory- grandson Charles.

After the second fire she was forced to place the children in different houses for nearly 2 years. She was responsible for their education and mortified that her children began to use improper speech and play more than study. She found time to spend time with each child during the week.

When her husband went to London to defend a friend, on charges of heresy, he appointed a curate. His sermon in the morning service revolved solely about repaying debts so she set up her own Sunday afternoon activities. The children read psalms, she read her husband’s sermons. The locals asked if they could join- The curate was unhappy and complained to Samuel. Susanna’s response was if he forbade her doing good, he would have to stand with her on judgement day and explain why he had issued this command. Samuel bowed to her challenge and the meetings resumed.

Samuel’s work on the Book of Job , his life’s work, had little impact on his family other than hardship.

Susanna practised daily devotions. throughout her life.
She wrote letters,meditations and scriptural commentaries. many were lost in the rectory fire but many survived. *Susanna Wesley, The complete writings
has been made accessible by Charles Wallace.

Susanna Wesley, the Mother of Methodism, died on 23rd July 1742 aged 73, and was buried at Bunhill Fields in London.