The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

BYINGTON, Martha. See AMADON, George Washington and Martha Dormer.

CARMAN, John Frost (1827-1923) and Maria Louisa (1829-1916)

A prosperous farmer and active layman from Benton Township, Eaton County, Michigan, John Carman became a Sabbathkeeping Adventist in 1855 through the preaching of J. B. Frisbie in nearby West Windsor. His wife, Maria Louisa (née Potter), came from one of the most influential families of Eaton County. John Carman took the initiative in building the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Potterville, dedicated in 1870. During the 1870s and 1880s he used his administrative skills in the service of the church, serving on numerous committees of the Michigan Conference. 1EGWLM 804.3

The earliest record of Carman's contact with Ellen White is found in her 1859 diary, where she told of his request that the Whites come to his area to preach. Subsequently the Whites visited the Carmans on numerous occasions. According to John Carman's daughter, Cora Viola, their home became a retreat for the Whites from the pressures of Battle Creek, a special room being built for their use. 1EGWLM 804.4

See: Obituary: “John Frost Carman,” Review, May 10, 1923, p. 22; obituary: “Maria Louisa Potter Carman,” Review, Nov. 16, 1916, p. 22; S. C. Courter, “Extracts of Letters,” Review, July 10, 1855, p. 8; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “John Carman,” Michigan, Eaton County, Benton, p. 11; The Past and Present of Eaton County, Michigan, Historically, Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Leading and Prominent Citizens and Illustrious Dead (Lansing, Mich.: Michigan Historical Publishing Association, 1880[?]), pp. 495, 496; James White, “Report From Bro. White,” Review, May 14, 1867, p. 271; J. H. Waggoner, “Dedication at Potterville, Eaton Co.,” Review, Jan. 18, 1870, p. 30; search term “Carman” in Review and Herald online collection, www.adventistarchives.org; Ellen G. White, Ms 5, 1859 (Feb. 5 entry); Arthur W. Spalding, Footprints of the Pioneers (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1947), pp. 205, 206. 1EGWLM 804.5