Cripplecreek, my readings indicate there were people trying to discredit him while he was still alive. Jealousy is always, and always has been, with us.
I tend to suspect the Brits and the Church of England were behind the rumors that were floated at the time. His sucess was kind of a slap in their faces.
Also the tactics never change. It was likely an attempt to isolate him from the people.