John Saunders, a former slave, brought Methodism to Martha’s Vineyard in 1787, 48 years before the Wesleyan Grove settlement that established the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle grounds. Mr. Saunders — with half-white wife Priscilla — was brought from Virginia by Captain Thomas Luce, hidden beneath corn that Luce was transporting. A plaque dedicated to Mr. Saunders is on the African American Heritage Trail at the Pecoy Point Preserve, where he preached at Pulpit Rock to the “coloured” and original people in the Farm Neck neighborhood. Mr. Saunders and his wife lived in Eastville until 1792, when they moved to Chappaquiddick. She later died, and he married Jane Diamond, a member of the tribe, whose members killed him, aggravated about his race and religious teachings. Some stories have happier middles than beginnings or endings, which makes me think about what a happy ending it would be if someone would officially designate a single rock as Pulpit Rock. Right now, confusion still reigns as to which of two specific rocks is Pulpit Rock.