Editing History of Jersey (section)

=== Politics and religion in the 18th century ===
The [[Chamber of Commerce]] founded 24 February 1768 is the oldest English-speaking Chamber of Commerce.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jersey Chamber's History|url=https://www.jerseychamber.com/chamber-history|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Jersey Chamber of Commerce}}</ref>

The late 18th century was the first time political parties in some form came into existence on the island. Jean Dumaresq was an early [[Liberalism|Liberal]] who called for democratic reforms (that the States should be democratically elected Deputies and should have vested in them executive power). His supporters were known as {{Lang|fr|Magots}} ("maggots", initially an insult from his opponents, which the {{Lang|fr|Magots}} reclaimed as their own term) and his opponents as the ''{{Lang|fr|Charlots}}'' (supporters of the Lieutenant Baliff Charles Lempière). Dumaresq is quoted as saying "we shall make these Seigneurs bite the dust". In 1776, he was elected as Connétable for St Peter.<ref name="BHJ" /><sup>:200</sup>
[[File:Halkett place jersey.JPG|thumb|Wesley's legacy remains in Jersey today. The Methodist Centre in St Helier in 2012.]]
[[Methodism]] arrived in Jersey in 1774, brought by fishermen returning from [[Newfoundland]]. Conflict with the authorities ensued when men refused to attend militia drill when that coincided with chapel meetings. The Royal Court attempted to proscribe Methodist meetings, but King George III refused to countenance such interference with liberty of religion. The first Methodist minister in Jersey was appointed in 1783, and [[John Wesley]] preached in Jersey in August 1789, his words being interpreted into the vernacular for the benefit of those from the country parishes. The first building constructed specifically for Methodist worship was erected in [[Saint Ouen, Jersey|St. Ouen]] in 1809.