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Author: Davidson, Margaret

Biography:

DAVIDSON, Margaret (d c. 1781: RPW]

Little is known of her life beyond what can be gleaned from her book. She was the daughter of uneducated parents and born in Killinchy, Co. Down. At the age of two, she became blind because of smallpox. She later lived near Comber where, despite strong opposition from her family, she became a devout Methodist after hearing a preacher, James Oddie, in about 1757.  She moved to Lisburn in about 1766 and met the Rev. Edward Smyth who encouraged her to speak at meetings where she became a popular figure. She supported herself by spinning flax. (RPW; C. H. Crookshank, The History of Methodism in Ireland [1885]; Goodridge)

 

Books written (1):

The Extraordinary Life and Christian Experience of Margaret Davidson, (as Dictated by Herself) Who was a Poor, Blind Woman among the People Called Methodists, but Rich towards God, and Illuminated with the Light of Life. To Which are Added, Some of Her Letters and Hymns.

Dublin: printed for the editor by Bennett Dugdale, 1782