Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Carter, James 1797 - 1858
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 3, 2005, 6:20 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

JAMES CARTER.

  This devoted Christian and eminently useful minister of the gospel was born
near the town of Powelton, in this State, about the year 1797. His parents,
Josiah Carter, and Mary, his wife, were Virginians, and had settled on the
Ogeechee river soon after their marriage. Being the youngest child, and his
parents growing old, his opportunities for education were even inferior to his
older brothers and sisters, as he was needed at home to work. After he was
grown, being elected a magistrate in his county, he had to learn the art of
calculating interest from the sheriff. At a very early age he became hopefully
pious, and was baptized into the Powelton church by Rev. Jesse Mercer, between
whom and himself there ever existed the utmost cordiality of friendship and
Christian confidence. Mr. Mercer, advanced in years and in failing health,
called on Mr. Carter to rest a few days from the fatigue of traveling, which he
was doing with the faint hope of recuperating his strength. It turned out,
however, that God had led him to the house of his friend to die, which event
took place September 6th, 1841. Mr. Carter ever cherished, with mournful
satisfaction, the fact that he had the privilege of waiting on the great and
good man, and the pastor of his early years, in his dying moments, and then of
closing his eyes.

  He married young, his first wife being Euth Asbury, daughter of Richard
Asbury, of Greene county, by whom he had several children, only one of whom is
living—Mr. William Carter, of Stewart county, a most estimable gentleman. His
second wife, was Mary Bond, of Wilkes county. One of her children is Colonel
Thomas M. Carter, a gentleman of intelligence and ability, and at one time a
member of the State Senate.

  Mr. Carter removed with his family to Butts county, about the year 1823, and
settled as a farmer on Tussahaw creek, where he resided many years, and until he
removed to Indian Springs, where he died.

  About 1827 he was licensed to preach the gospel by Sardis church, Henry
county. Through his labors a few disciples were gathered together, who were
organized into a church in his immediate neighborhood, himself being one of the
constituents. This occurred soon after his licensure. With little or no
intermission he continued pastor of this church (Macedonia,) for about thirty
years, during which time he baptized into it upwards of one thousand members. He
was, also, pastor of other churches—Holly Grove, in Monroe, Indian Springs and
others, where he was also eminently successful. His robust constitution and
vigorous health enabled him to perform an immense amount of labor, to which he
was impelled by his burning zeal for the cause of Christ, It is doubtful whether
any of our ministers ever preached more, or did more good by preaching, than
James Carter. According to the custom of the times he occasionally made
extensive tours into remote parts of the State, preaching to the destitute or
attending the sessions of Associations. His labors, however, were mostly devoted
to his own and contiguous counties.

  "While his doctrinal sentiments were strongly Calvinistic, which were
faithfully declared on all suitable occasions, his preaching was eminently
practical. His appeals to sinners were frequently powerfully impressive and
convincing. He had a commanding person, a strong but pleasant voice, good
command of language, and an impassioned manner of address.

  His constitution failed suddenly; it is wonderful that it had borne up so long
under the tremendous tax imposed upon it. He gradually declined for six months
"from general debility," as the doctors said. His death (which occurred August
25th, 1858,) was a triumph as well as his life, and he was buried at Macedonia
church, at a spot long before selected by himself, and immediately in front of
the pulpit which he had so long occupied. At the ensuing session of the Flint
River Association, at McDonough, of which he had been moderator for years, the
writer delivered a discourse in memory of Mr. Carter, which the Lord was pleased
to sanctify as the beginning of a great and gracious revival.


Additional Comments:
From:

GEORGIA BAPTISTS: HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.


MACON, GA.: J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.


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