Carrie Carlton

Elizabeth Chamberlain Wright (, Mary Elizabeth House; after first marriage, Mrs. Charles C. Chamberlain and Mrs. M. H. Chamberlain; after second marriage, Mrs. Washington Wright; ca. 1834 – 1868) was a 19th-century American poet and writer known in the press by her pen names, Carrie Carlton and Topsy-Turvey (or Topsey Turvey). She was one of the first Californian women who attempted to live by journalism. Characterized as rather "saucy, piquant and cute", it was also similar to that of Minnie Myrtle Miller and Alice Kingsbury.

Career Wisconsin In Milwaukee, Elizabeth met Charles C. Chamberlain and they married on JunE 8, 1854. Three children were born: Louis C. (b. 1857), Mabel Minnie (b. 1858), and Archie Dean (b. 1862).

In 1862, early in the Civil War era, she published a book of poetry, Wayside Flowers, in Milwaukee, using the pen name "Carrie Carlton", who was identified at the time as being "Mrs. M. H. Chamberlain".

California Lon Chamberlain (a brother of Charles), owned a ranch in California, and in 1863, he persuaded Elizabeth and her husband to come to California with him. Elizabeth and the children sailed from New York City for San Francisco, expecting Charles to follow in a few weeks. During his family's voyage, Charles, who was employed in the Milwaukee post office, dropped dead, and just prior to landing at San Francisco, Elizabeth's baby son, Archie Dean, also died. she married the journalist, Washington Wright. being about 38 years old. His uncle was Governor of New York, Silas Wright.

Widowed again, Elizabeth was forced to support herself and her children. She did so by writing for The Golden Era, as "Carrie Carlton". Across her face, she held the paper just under her eyes. It is the only picture of her that survived. The Letter Writer was a humorous view of Californian correspondence, such as a daughter addressing her mother as "Honored Madam," or a miner writing East for goods in a stately manner. It was written in a crisp, unconventional style, with bits of advice in place, such as "You should always write to your grandfather", being one of the axioms. This was her last book. It also contained stories suitable for family reading.

She was a contributor to Poetry of the Pacific edited by May Westworth (San Francisco, Pacific Publishing Company, 1867). Her poem, "Tribute to Fremont", was copied largely, and quoted as one of the finest poems of the day.

Her ashes were placed in Lone Mountain Masonic Cemetery, San Francisco, where her friends erected a marble shaft and placed upon it this inscription:— "Topsy Turvey." May 1, 1868. Called Home. Aged 32 years."

Poems "When I am Dead" (1868)

Lyrics "Oh, Gentle Hearts" (1866), lyrics by Mrs. Washington Wright; music by George Felix Benkert