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The Cloud Family
168 Rev. Robert Cloud, (Robert, Joseph, Robert, William,), son of Robert and Magdalen (Peterson) Cloud, born August 21, 1755; died June 2, 1835; married Rachel Matson, March 25, 1779. She was born July 4, 1759, in Edgmont Township, Chester (now Delaware County), Pennsylvania.
The following biographical sketch of Rev. Robert Cloud was prepared and furnished by Miss Elisabeth Seip of Baltimore, Maryland:
Robert Cloud, son of Robert and Magdalen (Peterson) Cloud, was born August 21, 1755, in Brandywine Hundred, New Castle, Delaware. While a soldier in the Revolutionary War he was converted to Methodism under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Webster of Harford County, Maryland, and in 1777 he began his labors in the ministry which were continued without interruption for more than half a century. For more than twenty-five years he was an itinerant in the Methodist Episcopal Church, traveling through the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and suffering his full share of the hardships incident to his calling at that period. He was stationed at Philadelphia and New York City. He was presiding Elder during the years 1790 and 1791.
On March 25, 1779, Robert Cloud was married to Rachel Matson, who was born in Edgmont Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, July 4th, 1759; "A perfect woman, nobly planned, " whose beauty and intelligence, (Existing portraits and letters of her writing testify to both) were equaled by her piety. They lived together in devoted union for more than fifty years.
In 1812 Robert Cloud compelled by impaired health determined to locate with his wife, their son Enoch, and little daughter "Polly", he drove in this own carriage from Cecil County, Maryland, to Lexington, Kentucky, where his older son Caleb was practicing medicine. But here was not his rest, for he found the field white to the harvest, and soon he was constantly engaged in preaching, forming societies and building meeting houses, which he then handed over to the itinerants, while he went in pursuit of more lost sheep,--"the wilderness (of Ohio and Kentucky) heard his voice and did rejoice." So he continued to labor until his death, which occurred June 5, 1833, aged 77 years, 10 months and 14 days.
His wife survived him six years. Robert Cloud was considered a good preacher, skillful in debate, convincing in argument, his style fervid yet clear and logical, indicating a trained intellect, rather than that rude eloquence which seemed the natural gift of so many of the early Methodists. The preserved specimens of his hand-writing in existence
(Transcription provided by Cynthia Johnson : 2020-07-23)
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