Benjamin Titus Roberts (1823–1893), first trained as an attorney, then entered the ministry in the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New York State. His ministerial studies were done at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He married Ellen Stowe, had seven children, and pastored several churches in New York state. 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1893 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... An attorney is someone who represents someone else in the transaction of business: For attorney-at-law, see lawyer, solicitor, barrister or civil law notary. ... Genesee is a town located in Allegany County, New York. ... The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784. ... State nickname: The Empire State Official languages English Capital Albany Largest city New York City Governor George Pataki (R) Senators Charles Schumer (D) Hillary Clinton (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 13. ... It has been suggested that Para La Familia be merged into this article or section. ... State nickname: The Constitution State Official languages English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) Senators Chris Dodd (D) Joe Lieberman (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 48th 14,371 km² 12. ...

During his tenure at Wesleyan University, B. T. Roberts excelled, achieving university honors. (Marston, 174). While there, he met Daniel Steele, later to become president of Syracuse University, and William C. Kendall, soon to become Roberts' comrade for reform in the Genesee Conference. (Ibid) Upon graduation, Roberts was offered the presidency of Wyoming Seminary of Kingston, PA, a secondary institution of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Roberts declined the position, electing instead to enter the pastorate, seeking elders orders in Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. (Ibid.)

He was an advocate of holiness, being influenced by the teaching of Phoebe Palmer. In 1857 he began to publish tracts on holiness. In 1858 he was defrocked, because of his criticisms of church practices, which he felt had left both the zeal and the teachings of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. The holiness movement is composed of people who believe and propagate the belief that the carnal nature of man can be cleansed through faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit if one has had his sins forgiven through faith in Jesus. ... Phoebe Palmer (December 17, 1807 – November 2, 1874) was an evangelist and writer who promoted the doctrine of Christian perfection. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1858 is a common year starting on Friday. ... For entries on other people named John Wesley, see John Wesley (disambiguation). ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ...

With J. W. Redfield and others, he formed the Free Methodist Church of North America at an organizational conference at Pekin, New York in 1860. That same year he founded a magazine, the Earnest Christian. In 1866 he founded Chili Seminary in North Chili, New York, which today is known as Roberts Wesleyan College in his honor. He was general superintendent of the Free Methodist Church from 1860–93. He traveled extensively and was a frequent speaker at Holiness camp meetings. The Free Methodist Church is a denomination of Methodism, which is a branch of Protestantism. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... 1866 is a common year starting on Monday. ... Chili is a town located in Monroe County, New York. ... Founded in 1866 by Benjamin Titus Roberts as Chili Seminary, the school is known today as Roberts Wesleyan College, in honor of John Wesley founder of Methodism, and Roberts, founder of the Free Methodist Church. ...

Roberts was a staunch abolitionist and early Free Methodists derived their name in part from their opposition to slavery. Many of the early Free Methodists were active in the operation of the Underground Railroad. They were highly critical of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from which many of them had come, because it did not boldly denounce slavery. This poster depicting the horrific conditions on slave ships was influential in mobilizing public opinion against slavery in the United Kingdom and the United States. ... Map of some Underground Railroad routes This page is about the slave escape route. ...

Another "freedom" Roberts advocated was the practice of using freewill offerings for church support. They were critical of the Methodist practice of pew rentals, which expressed the social prestige of those who rented the most expensive pews. After the separation of the Free Methodists, the Methodist Episcopal Church abolished pew rentals.

Seventeen years after his death, the Methodists returned his ministerial papers to his son, and formally acknowledged that they had wronged him.