American Toby Jug Museum 

John Wesley toby jug designed by A. Harris and modeled by Charles J. Noke, and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, circa 1925. John Wesley (1703-1791) was the founder of the evangelic movement of Methodism. Born in Epworth, the son of a Church of England minister, at age five he was the last person rescued from a rectory fire, after which he thought of himself as “a brand plucked from the burning” by God. Studying at Oxford, he became the leader of a group attempting to lead a Christian life through both method and discipline. The group came to be called Methodists. Taking religion to the masses, he toured Britain on horseback, preaching in the open to anyone who would listen. Settling down to a long career of preaching, he formed the society that eventually became the Methodist Church. The Methodist movement has now spread around the globe. The front of the base of the jug is inscribed “John Wesley M.A. born 1703 died 1791. Founder of Methodism.” On one side is inscribed “The world is my parish” and on the other “A brand plucked from the fire.” The handle, which represents a flame, symbolizes Wesley’s rescue from the Epworth rectory fire.