He was born in the Cheraw district of South
Carolina on May 29, 1774. This was later divided into several districts, one of which was
Marlborough District, now known as Marlboro county. Richard Carlisle married twice, first
on Aug. 28, 1800, he married Priscilla Rabon, who died Aug. 29, 1821. Second on Dec. 24,
1821, he married Sarah Burkett who was born 1786 in South Carolina.
Tradition and research both indicate that Richard’s ancestors came to
America from England. His mother’s name was Phoebe, and it is believed that she was
descended from the Puritans of New England. According to the "History of the Old
Cheraws", her husband was among the first to volunteer to resist British oppression
and was mortally wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution.
After marriage, it is believed that he lived in the village which grew up
around Marlborough County's first courthouse. This village was simply called "the
courthouse." In later years it became known as "Carlisle," having been
named for Richard Carlisle. The village of Carlisle was located six miles west and a
little south of present day Bennettsville. It was the county seat for thirty-four years,
until the increase of population in the central and eastern parts of the county made it
desirable that the seat of government be moved to a more conveniently accessible place. A
granite block set a little back in a field, alongside a dirt road, is the only reminder
that here was once the village of Carlisle. Incised into the stone is the legend:
"The site of the first courthouse, built 1785, removed to its present site,
Bennettsville, S.C. Dec. 14, 1819. This marker erected Dec. 14, 1919, by Pee Dee Chapter
D. A. R. and citizens of Marlboro County."
It is presumed that Richard later moved to the Salem Baptist Church community,
near Bennettsville, where he had a farm adjoining that of James Carlisle, who, according
to tradition, was his nephew. The records of the Salem Baptist Church show that Richard
Carlisle was received as a member by letter Apr. 9, 1825.
Following the pioneering trend of that period when settlers left the seaboard
states and migrated westward in quest of permanent homes, Richard Carlisle and his
immediate family left south Carolina in 1832 and settled in Jefferson County, Al. where,
after nearly one hundred seventy years, many of his descendants are still found.
Richard died 15 Dec 1854 in Jackson Co., Al, at age 80. He is buried in the
Longacre Cemetery near Stevenson, Al. His grave is marked with a large flat rock into
which is incised "R. Carlisle