The publication of The Wesleyan was begun in 1847 by the ministers connected with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland Districts, which at that time were under the direction of the English Wesleyan Conference.

In 1855, when these Districts were formed into the Conference of Eastern British America, it became the authorized Connexional organ of that Conference.

It's weekly circulation now (1879) numbers 3,000 copies. The following have been it's Editors from 1848 to 1881.

1848-1852 Alexander McLeod, D.D.
1852-1854 Matthew H. Richey, Esq
1854-1860 Charles Churchill, M.A.
1860-1868 John McMurray
1868-1873 Humphrey Pickard, D.D.
1873-1879 Alexander W. Nicolson
1879-1880 Duncan D. Currie
1880-1881 T. Watson Smith