Elizabeth Fitz Randolph (1890 - 1983)

Born 10 Oct 1890 in Alfred, Allegany, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 25 Dec 1983 at age 93 in Ithaca, Tompkins, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Thomas Randolph [send private message]

Biography

Elizabeth Fitz Randolph was born in Appalachia, in New York. See Appalachia Project.

Elizabeth was born in 1890 in Alfred, NY, the second daughter of Alva Fitz Randolph and Mary Hoff. Her parents had recently moved from West Virginia to Alfred for her father's studies at Alfred University. The family remained in the Alfred area, buying a farm and later having a house in the village itself. Elizabeth excelled at her studies and went first to Alfred University, obtaining her B.A. in 1913, and then for theological studies at Oberlin College. She was ordained as a Seventh Day Baptist minister in 1922, and pursued the ministry and evangelism the rest of her life. In the 1930s and early 1940s, she developed the church in Daytona Beach, FL. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, she:

"... took on the title of "Promoter of Evangelism" and toured the southern states, living in a house trailer much of the time. She helped organize and develop two churches in Florida, and served as pastor for eleven churches in both rural and urban settings, including the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., and the all Black People's Seventh Day Baptist Church of that same city. She was the first white woman ever invited to pastor a black church."^[1]

She retired to Alfred in 1963 and cared for her sister Fucia. After her sister's death and as her own health failed, she moved to a care facility in Ithaca, NY, where she died in 1983. She is buried in the Alfred Rural Cemetery with her parents.

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Obituary

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 206, No 2, p 31, Feb., 1984.

Rev. Elizabeth Fitz Randolph was born October 10, 1890, at Alfred, N.Y., to Mr. and Mrs. Alvah F. Randolph. She died on December 25, 1983, in Ithaca, N.Y., where she had resided for several years after her health failed. She studied at Alfred University and also at Oberlin Graduate School of Theology, where she received her bachelor of divinity degree. She also studied at the University of Chicago, and was ordained in 1922 by the Andover, N. Y., Seventh Day Baptist Church. Having begun pastoral service as a student, she ministered to 11 congregations in her 40 years of service. Called as the first Promoter of Evangelism of the national S.D.B. Women's Society, she aided many local congregations in evangelism. She was instrumental in founding the Palatka, Fla., S.D.B Church, and revitalizing groups in Washington, D.C., and Daytona Beach, Fla. Miss Randolph was famous for her care for lonely, homeless, and disadvantaged people of all ages, classes and races. On retirement in 1963, she cared for her aging sister, Fucia, in Alfred. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Florence, Fucia and Viola; and by a brother, Lowell. She is survived by appreciative family and friends, especially a nephew, Rane F. Randolph, of Ithaca. A memorial service was conducted in her "home church", the Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church, by her former pastor, David Clarke, and by Rev. Albert N. Rogers. Burial of her ashes is planned for the Resurrection season in the Alfred Rural Cemetery, her nephew Rev. Edward Sutton officiating. DSC

Surname note

In this Fitz Randolph family, Fitz appears to have been used by all family members in the family where Elizabeth is a child as their middle name as if part of their surname: In some censuses, the family is recorded using FitzRandolph or Fitz Randolph as the surname including for her mother Mary C (Catherine) FitzRandolph. The current consensus is therefore to use the surname Fitz Randolph as the married name for Elizabeth. (Need to confirm how Fitz Randolph was used in the Alva Fitz Randolph family in legal documents and when births were recorded.) Please don't hesitate to contact the profile manager if you think this decision should be reviewed!

Sources

1. ↑ "Chosen by God: women pastors on the frontiers of the seventh day baptist denomination" The Free Library, 2005 Baptist History and Heritage Society, accessed 16 Jul. 2015.

Brown, Walter Leroy. The Maxson family (Albion, NY 1954). Entry no. 3067, p. 178.

Residence in New York

"New York, State Census, 1892," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQS7-B69 : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth Randolph, 1892; citing Alfred, E.D. 01, county offices, New York; FHL microfilm 501,959. Census date: 16 Feb 1892. Name: Elizabeth Randolph; Event Date: 1892; Event Place: Alfred, E.D. 01; Age: 2; Gender: Female; Birthplace: United States; Birth Year (Estimated): 1890; Citizenship Status: Citizen; Household members: Alva F. Randolph, m, 25, US, cit, Farmer; Mary C. Randolph, f, 29, US, cit; Fucia F Randolph; f, 3, US, cit; Elizabeth Randolph, f, 2, US, cit.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS67-WS2 : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth Fitz in household of Randolph Alvah Fitz, Alfred Township Alfred village, Allegany, New York, United States; citing sheet 15B, family 397, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,008. Census date: 25-26 Jun 1900. Name: Elizabeth Fitz; Gender: Female; Age: 10; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Daughter; Birth Date: Oct 1890; Birthplace: New York; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Randolph Alvah Fitz, Head, M, Apr 1867, 33, married; yrs married: 12; West Virginia; Farmer, Unemployed: 0 months; owned farm with mortgage; farm schedule available; Mary C Fitz, Wife, F, Mar 1863, 37, married, yrs married: 12; children born: 4; living: 4; West Virginia; occupation: none; Fucia Fitz, Daughter, F, June 1889; 11 (10 in original form), West Virginia; at school, 9 mo; Elizabeth Fitz, Daughter, F, Oct 1890, 10 (9 in original), New York; at school, 9 mo; Lowell Fitz, Son, M, Oct 1894, 6 (5 in original), New York; at school, 9 mo; Florence Fitz, Daughter, F, Mar 1899, 1, New York. Parents' birthplace for everyone: West Virginia. NOTE: on original form, the family is listed by the surname Fitz Randolph; e.g. Fitz Randolph, Alvah; Fitz Randolph, Mary C; etc.

New York, State Census, 1905, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVBH-JDX : accessed 16 July 2015), Elezebeth F Randolph, Alfred, E.D. 01, Allegany, New York; citing p. 36, line 8, county offices, New York.; FHL microfilm 501,960. Census date: 1 Jun 1905. Name: Elizabeth F Randolph; Residence Place: Alfred, Allegany, New York; Age: 14; Birth Year (Estimated): 1891; Birthplace: United States; Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter; Race: W; Page: 36; Reference ID: 8. Address: Callen Hill. Household members listed: Alva F Randolph, head, w, m, 38, US, cit, Farmer, own account; Mary F Randolph, wife, w, f, 42, US, cit, housework; Fusia F, daughter, w, f, 16, US, cit, at school (8); Elizabeth F Randolph, daughter, w, f, 14, US, cit, at school (8 1/2); Lowell F Randolph, son, w, m, 10, US, cit, at school (8 1/2); Florence F Randolph, daughter, w, f, 6, US, cit, at school (8 3/2); Vida F Randolph, daughter, w, f, 3, US, cit.

"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M5Q9-327 : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth F Randolph in household of Alva F Randolph, Alfred, Allegany, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1, sheet 11A, family 270, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,936. Census date: 4 May 1910. Name: Elizabeth F Randolph; Gender: Female; Age: 19; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Daughter; Birth Year (Estimated): 1891; Birthplace: New York; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Alva F Randolph, Head, M, 43, 1st marriage; yrs married: 21; West Virginia; Farmer, dairy farm, employer; owned farm, with mortgage; has farm schedule. Mary C F Randolph, Wife, F, 47, 1st marriage, yrs married: 21; children born:5;living:5; West Virginia; Fucia F Randolph, Daughter, F, 20, single, West Virginia; Elizabeth F Randolph, Daughter, F, 19, single, New York; Lowell F Randolph, Son, M, 15, single, New York; Florence F Randolph, Daughter, F, 11, single, New York; Vida F Randolph, Daughter, F, 6, single, New York; All parents' birthplaces: West Virginia. Everyone can read/write. All children attending school. NOTE: All children use F as middle initial for Fitz.

Looks like Elizabeth was doublecounted in 1915 as she was visiting her uncle Virgil in Willing, NY: "New York, State Census, 1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9X2-5L7 : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth Fitzrandolph, Alfred, A.D. 01, E.D. 01, Allegany, New York, United States; from "New York, State Census, 1915," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing p. 24, line 44, state population census schedules, 1915, New York State Archives, Albany. Census date: 1 Jun 1915. Name: Elizabeth Fitzrandolph; Gender: Female; Age: 24; Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter; Birth Year (Estimated): 1891; House Number: Un; Page: 24; Line Number: 44. Address: Cross Road, R.D. 1. Farm. Household members listed: Alva FitzRandolph; head, w, m, 49, US, cit, farmer, emp.; Mary C FitzRandolph, wife, w, f, 53, US, cit, housework; Fucia FitzRandolph, daughter, w, f, 25, US, cit, teacher, wages, Hancock NY; Elizabeth FitzRandolph, daughter, w, f, 24, US, cit, teacher, wages, Wellsville, NY; Lowell FitzRandolph, son, w, m, 20, US, cit, college; Florence FitzRandolph, daughter, w, f, 16 US, cit, school; Vida FitzRandolph, daughter, w, f, 11, US, Cit, school; Perry Ralph, servant, w, m, 19, US, cit, farm laborer, wages.

"New York, State Census, 1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9XG-7YR : accessed 2 September 2015), Fitz Randolph, Willing, A.D. 01, E.D. 01, Allegany, New York, United States; from "New York, State Census, 1915," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing p. 01, line 18, state population census schedules, 1915, New York State Archives, Albany. Census date: 1 Jun 1915. Name: Fitz Randolph; Gender: Male; Age: 55; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Birth Year (Estimated): 1860; House Number: Road; Page: 01. Household members: V. Fitz Randolph, head, w, m, 55, US, cit, farmer, own account; Mary Randolph, wife, w, f, 41, Us cit, housewife; Winston Randolph, son, w, m, 7, Us, cit.; Elizabeth Randolph, niece, w, f, 24, US, cit.

"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJKD-G8V : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth Fitzrandolph in household of Alva Fitzrandolph, Alfred, Allegany, New York, United States; citing sheet 9B, family 250, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,821,084. Census date: 28 Jan 1920. Name: Elizabeth Fitzrandolph; Gender: Female; Age: 29; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Daughter; Birth Year (Estimated): 1891; Birthplace: New York; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Alva Fitzrandolph, Head, M, 52, married, West Virginia; farmer, general farm, own account, farm schedule 66; Mary C Fitzrandolph, Wife, F, 56, married, West Virginia; no occupation; Fucia Fitzrandolph, Daughter, F, 30, single, West Virginia; teacher, high school, wages; Elizabeth Fitzrandolph, Daughter, F, 29, single, New York; attended school!; no occupation; Lowell Fitzrandolph, Son, M, 25, single, New York; teacher, university, wages; Florence Fitzrandolph, Daughter, F, 20, single, New York; no occupation; Vida Fitzrandolph, Daughter, F, 16, single, New York; attended school; Arthur Moland, Hired man, M, 67, single, New York; parents' birthplace: NY; farm laborer, working out, wages. Address: Randolph Road, Farm, Owned, no mortgage. All parents' birthplace: West Virginia.

"United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4RY-3V8 : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth F Randolph in household of Frank A Degraw, Clifton Springs, Ontario, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0036, sheet 6A, family 156, line 30, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1631; FHL microfilm 2,341,365. Census date: 7 Apr 1930. Name: Elizabeth F Randolph; Gender: Female; Age: 39; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Race (Original): White; Relationship to Head of Household: Lodger; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Lodger; Birth Year (Estimated): 1891; Birthplace: New York; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Frank A Degraw, Head, M, 53, married, marriage age: 26; New York; parents' birthplace: NY; lawyer; general practice; own account; employed, not a veteran; Flora J Degraw, Wife, F, 46, married, marriage age: 17; New York; parents' birthplace: NY; occupation: none; Carl B Degraw, Son, M, 29, single, New York; parents' birthplace: NY; bookkeeper, bank, wages, employed; not a veteran; Harold W Degraw, Son, M, 17, single, New York; parents' birthplace: NY; attending school; Alice L Degraw, Daughter, F, 19, single, New York; parents' birthplace: NY; attending school; Aleine R Degraw, Daughter, F, 11, New York; parents' birthplace: NY; attended school; Jean T Degraw, Daughter, F, 7, New York; parents' birthplace: NY; attended school; Dorothy A Nellis, Lodger, F, 26, single, Canada; parents' birthplace; Canada (English); immigration year: 1936; alien; trained nurse, private patient, wages, employed; Elizabeth F Randolph, Lodger, F, 39, New York; attendant, sanitarium, wages, employed; parents' birthplace: WV. Owned house, $6000, with radio, not a farm.

"Florida State Census, 1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNKZ-YYR : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth F Randolph, Daytona Beach, Volusia, Florida; citing line 45, State Archives, Tallahassee; FHL microfilm 2,425,174. Name: Elizabeth F Randolph; Gender: Female; Precinct Number: 008 A; Precinct: Daytona, Volusia, Florida; Residence Place: Daytona Beach, Volusia, Florida; Age (Formatted): 45y; Birth Year (Estimated): 1890; Birthplace: , , New York; Race (Original): White; Race: White; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Single; Relationship to Head of Household: Single; Educ: College; Owned house; Minister. Line Number: 45 .

"United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VTZM-8DV : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth F Randolph, Daytona Beach, Election Precinct 8B, Volusia, Florida, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 64-27, sheet 13B, family 313, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 620. Census date: 3 May 1940. Name: Elizabeth F Randolph; Gender: Female; Age: 49; Marital Status: Single; Race (Original): White; Race: White; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head; Relationship to Head of Household: Head; Birthplace: New York; Birth Year (Estimated): 1891; Last Place of Residence: Same House. Address: 147 First Ave. Educ: c-5; Employed, pastor, church, wages; 99 hrs/52 wks; income: $560, income from other sources.

University records

Alfred University, Herrick Memorial Library, University Archives, Alfred, NY. (Laurie McFadden): Email to Tom Randolph, dated 18 Sep 2015. Name: Elizabeth Fitz Randolph; Home address: Alfred, NY; Dates registered:1909 - 1913; Spring 1918; 1918-1919; 1919-1920; Summer 1920; Degree: B.A. (1913). B.A. is a Bachelor of Arts, Classical Course; major – English; minor – education; 1918-1920, enrolled in the Seminary, took mostly Hebrew & Theology classes; took public speaking in summer 1920.

Death

"United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JYZR-NPN : accessed 16 July 2015), Elizabeth Randolph, Dec 1983; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing). Age: 93; Given Name: Elizabeth; Surname: Randolph; Birth Date: 10 Oct 1890; State: Florida; Last Place of Residence: Tompkins, New York; Previous Residence Postal Code: 14850; Event Date: Dec 1983.

FindaGrave Memorial #117431641 accessed 16 Jul 2015. Name: Rev Elizabeth Fitz Randolph: Birth: Oct. 10, 1890; Alfred, Allegany County, New York, USA; Death: Dec. 25, 1983, Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, USA; Burial: Alfred Rural Cemetery, Alfred, Allegany County, New York, USA. Inscription: "Elizabeth Fitz Randolph, 1890-1983". Photo: yes. Family links: Parents: Alva Fitz Randolph (1867 - 1949), Mary Caroline Hoff Fitz Randolph (1863 - 1944); Sibling: Fucia Fitz Randolph (1889 - 1971)

See also:

• Women pastors on the frontier of the seventh day baptist church, accessed 16 Jul 2016.

Research Notes

FamilySearch Person: LRFS-7CK