Obituary for Elizabeth Earnest Carlisle, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/eecarlisle.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= December 2001 OBITUARY ---------------------------- Departed this life July 23rd, 1897, after a lingering illness, Mrs. Elizabeth CARLISLE, widow of the late John CARLISLE, of this county [Randolph]. Mrs. CARLISLE at the time of her death was a resident of Hanceville, Blount county, Ala., having moved from this county to Hanceville in 1892. Mrs. CARLISLE was born in Montgomery county, Ala., August 23rd, 1821. She was 75 years and 11 months old. She was the daughter of William and Rebecca EARNEST, who were among the early settlers of this State. After a residence of several years in Montgomery county, she moved with her parents back to Merriwether county, Georgia, where she was married to John CARLISLE. In 1847 she and her husband moved to Randolph county. In the latter part of 1881 her husband died. For forty-five years Mrs. CARLISLE was a citizen of this county. She was the mother of three sons and five daughters, all but one of whom survive her. Early in life, Mrs. CARLISLE became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a member of the M. E. Church, South, until after the war, when she attached herself again to the M. E. Church, of which she remained an exemplary member until her death. Hers was a life that exemplified in every day conduct the great principles of Christianity. She professed Christ and she lived up to her profession. As a neighbor she was noted for her hospitality and for many lovable qualities. She was the loving, true wife and mother. For many years she and her husband were the leading tenters at Corn House Camp Ground, doing all they could for the Master. Their house was always the home of the preacher, and they were always ready to make sacrifices for the great cause. After the death of Bro. CARLISLE, as long as she was able to attend the public worship of God, she was found at her post ready and willing to do her duty. In was the pleasure of the writer to know and value the life of this truly noble christian [sic] woman. The memory of her noble deeds will mold itself into the lives of others who learned to love and imitate the deeds of Christian womanhood as shown forth in the life of this sainted mother of Israel. Her life was a success. Let weeping relatives dry their tears and catch the sweet assurances of a voice that says: “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, yea from hence forth they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.” A Friend [From The Randolph Toiler (Wedowee, Randolph County, Alabama), 6 Aug 1897, p.3] ------- The CARLISLEs were apparently very active in the camp meetings at Corn House, which is located roughly halfway between Roanoke and Wedowee in Randolph County, Alabama. Such Christian revivalist camp meetings were common throughout the United States during the nineteenth century, being days-long events typically held in late summer or early fall when crops needed little care. On a scale grander that local Sacred Harp Singings, the camp meetings served an important social function by providing a sense of community for the people of isolated rural America who had few opportunities to gather together. Mention that the CARLISLE “house was always the home of the preacher” calls to note the Methodist tradition of the “circuit rider” system established by Reverend Francis Asbury in which preachers traveled from place to place with no pre-arranged lodging but relied on the hospitality of local believers. Church was not a scheduled weekly event in much of rural America, but occurred whenever the preacher arrived.