Chambers County AlArchives News.....Sisson, Rev. C. P. Remains Moved to Chambers Co. August 2, 1905
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Candace Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net September 5, 2005, 1:30 pm

NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, AL For AUGUST 2nd Thru AUGUST 9th,  1905 August 2, 1905
NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, AL

REMAINS REMOVED OF REV. C.P. SISSON; After Long Rest in Roanoke Soil, Body 
of Pioneer Preacher was Removed Last Week to Chosen Spot in Chambers County

An unusual event, and one awaking interesting reminiscences among the old 
inhabitants of Roanoke, occurred last week. Without the knowledge of many as 
to what was to be done, a few citizens of Roanoke, with a couple of hands, 
began to dig into the grave in the northwestern corner of the old cemetery 
near the Baptist church. Investigation revealed that the remains of Rev. 
Chas. P. Sisson were being disinterred to be carried to a final resting 
place at Rock Springs church in Chambers County.

Some of the facts concerning this well known character in the earlier 
history of this country will be of interest to our younger readers as well 
as the old. The points touched upon will give an insight into the unusual 
career of a man who left a wonderful impress for good upon this section of 
the country in years yet held in memory by our older citizens.

Mr. Sisson was born in Savannah, Georgia Nov. 16, 1821 of English parentage 
and in early life was a seaman, visiting various countries across the 
waters. He was later converted and quit his associations with the sea, 
removing before the war to Chambers County and settling near Rock Spring 
Baptist church. He became a minister of the Missionary Baptist church, 
preaching his first sermon at Rock Spring, and was for a time pastor of that 
church. It was then that he selected a spot, near the pulpit of the church, 
by the grave of a former pastor, and requested that his body be laid to rest 
there.

Later Mr. Sisson lived in Wesobulga now in Clay County, and engaged in 
merchandising. All the while he traveled and preached all through that 
undeveloped region. Later he moved to Roanoke. For several years he taught 
school and preached. He was well educated for his day and was a strong man 
among his fellows. In the latter part of his life he served as Baptist State 
missionary and colporteur for the East Liberty Association. The number of 
sermons preached and the number of converts he baptized would go up into the 
hundreds, if not thousands.

This man of God enjoyed the confidence of all. He was well known by 
everybody as "Uncle Charlie" and his wife as "Aunt Sue." They had no 
children but every child in Roanoke was their friend and admirer. Under such 
surroundings the faithful minister was called upon to lay down the duties of 
life. He died March 2, 1881 in the old house which stood where Knight's 
Stable is now. In his declining years he was supported and cared for by the 
churches he had served.

It is chanced that the day following his death a persistent storm prevailed 
and friends were forced to bury him here. The spot chosen was as near the 
pulpit of the old Baptist church as possible. But the promise previoiusly 
made by friends to let his body rest at Rock Spring was not forgotten by 
them. So after twenty years delay this promise was redeemed as stated above. 
The reincoffined remains were carried to Buffalo on Thursday morning's 
train, accompanied by Messrs. W.A. Handley, G.W. and I.G. Hill. Flowers were 
placed on the casket by some of the thoughtful ladies of Roanoke.

At Rock Spring church a large congregation had assembled and a general 
memorial service was held, reviewing the lives of all the former pastors. 
That pertaining to Rev. C.P. Sisson was very appropriately assigned to Rev. 
J.P.Shaffer, his long time friend and fellow laborer.


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