Barbara Heck

BARBARA, (Heck), Born 1734 in Ballingrane, Republic of Ireland. She is the daughter of Bastian (Sebastian) Ruckle and Margery Embury. Bastian Ruckle (Sebastian) as well Margaret Embury, daughter of Bastian Ruckle (Republic of Ireland) got married to Paul Heck (1760 in Ireland). They had seven children of which four were born in childhood.

A biography usually features the person who was a prominent participant of significant events, or who made distinctive statements or ideas that were recorded. Barbara Heck, on the other hand, left no notes or written documents. The evidence of such items as her date of marriage is only secondary. For the vast majority of her life as an adult it is not possible to find primary sources that permit us to trace the motives or actions of her. She has nevertheless become a heroic figure in early North American Methodism history. The biographer has to define the mythology, define the story and identify the individual who is enshrined within.

Abel Stevens was a Methodist scholar who wrote in 1866. The progress of Methodism throughout the United States has now indisputably placed the humble name of Barbara Heck first on the women's list in the ecclesiastical history of the New World. In order to understand the importance of her name it is essential to examine the lengthy time history of the organization that she is and will continue to be a part of. Barbara Heck was involved fortuitously with the beginning of Methodism in the United States and Canada and her fame is based on the natural nature of an extremely effective organization or group to celebrate its origins in order to strengthen its traditionalism and connection to its past.