Elijah Putnam Douglas (1838-1899), son of Elisha and
Navy Davis he was born on 12th November 1838 in Marion, Mississippi, USA. He was a Baptist
Minister, living on his farm in Lincoln County near Wesson, Mississippi.
For two years following his 21st birthday, he taught school and read
medicine, planning to become a doctor.
When the Civil War began, in 1861, he enlisted and went with his
regiment, the Twelfth Mississippi, to Virginia, serving with Lee's Army
throughout the War, and took part in nearly every engagement in which
they participated. He was wounded several times, once on Look Out
Mountain in the "Battle Above the Clouds," and at the Battle of Fort
Gregg, just a few days before the surrender, he received a wound which
was almost fatal.
Following the war, he taught school for many years. His teaching,
together with his farm, largely supported his family, while he preached
to new and struggling churches until his death in 1898. His work, like
that of his father, was largely missionary work.
He took a leading part in the battle to abolish the saloons from
Mississippi, and felt so strongly the cause of temperance, that he voted
the prohibition party for many years prior to his death. He lived in the
period of debates, between the leaders of church groups, on their
beliefs. The Clarke-Douglas Debate, on "What is a New Testament Church?"
which was published in book form attracted wide spread attention at that
time.
He died on 22nd May 1899 at his home in Lincoln County and is buried in
the Davis Family Cemetery, near his home.
He married Elizabeth Davis. Elijah and Elizabeth had six children:
Henry Elisha Douglas b. January 29, 1870
George Theophilus Douglas b. April 25, 1872
Edgar Theodore Douglas b. July 4, 1874
Emma Olivia Douglas b. September 28, 1876
Elijah Putnam Douglas, Jr. b. October 28, 1878
William Eugene Douglas b. May 30, 1881
After Elizabeth's death, he married Adaline Conn.
Death of Rev. E. P. Douglass
It becomes our melancholy duty to this issue of The Leader to
make the above sad announcement, death having come to this true
and good man and his home in this county on Monday night about 8
o'clock, after nearly 4 months of suffering. The funeral took
place at the family residence yesterday afternoon and was
largely attended bgy sorrowing relatives and friends. The
ceremony at the residence was solemnly conducted by Rev. R. J.
Bonne, and feeling tributes were paid to the life and character
of the dead by Revs. J. J. Green, I. H. Anding and R. H. Purser,
his brethren in the ministry, and by B. T. Hobbs. After these
services the body was turned over to representatives of the
Wesson Masonic Lodge, headed by Capt. A. T. Woodin, and buried
in the family grave-yard near by in accordance with the
beautiful and impressive Masonic ritual.
The occasion was one of the saddest we have ever witnessed.
Every friend and relative in that mournful audience seemed to be
silently asking, "When shall we look upon his like again?" with
no one to answer.
In the next issue of The Leader we will publish an extended
sketch of the life and character of this faithful and beloved
servant of God. Meantime we tender to his heart-broken family
and kindred our profoundest sympathy and condolence. |
See also:
• Douglas families of
Mississippi
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