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Captain William Carpenter, son of William 1576, is known as‚ William of Rehoboth, the founder of the Rehoboth Carpenter s. He was born about 1605 in Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, and died February 7, 1658 in Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. He marri ed Abigail Briante, the daughter of John and Alice Briante, on April 28, 1625 in Shalbourne, Wiltshire, England. Abigai l was born about 1604 in probably Wiltshire, she was baptized May 27, 1604 in Shalbourne, Wiltshire/Berkshire, England , and diedFebruary 22, 1687, in Rehoboth. Their marriage record is found in the Bishop's Transcripts at Shalbourne (Wil tshire at the time, but now Berkshire County). Many show that his wife‚Äôs name was Abigail Sales (Searles), and some s how Abigail Bennett. Hisson William married a MeriamSaile (Sailes) and Priscilla Bennett. William and his wife Abigail, and their 4 children all aged under 10, came to America on the Bevis in 1638, accompanie d by William’s father. A family servant also was with them. William first settled in Weymouth, where he was admitte d a freemanon 5/13/1640. William was among the 58 original Rehoboth proprietors designated in 1643, where he was admitt ed an inhabitant on 3/28/1645, and a freeman on June 04, 1645. William is believed to have lived in Shalbourne, Wiltshire/Berkshire, England from about 1625 to 1637/8. William is no t shown on records to be a Jr. until the baptism of his son Samuel (the first Samuel born 1637, who died soon after). T his would indicatethat his father William (1576) had joined him at Shalbourne some time between 1634 and 1637, which su pports the belief that William was originally from somewhere else. The only other record of a Carpenter in Shalbourne ( other than William‚Äôs children) is a burial of Alice Carpenter on Jan. 25 (1636/7?) who is believed to be the wife o f William 1576. It is believed the Carpenters moved to Wherwell soon after, as they were shown to be from there on th e Bevis passenger list. From1638to 1643-5 he resided inWeymouth, where he was a representative in 1641 and 1643, as wel l as Proprietor‚Äôs Clerk in 1643. After this he resided in Rehoboth until his death. Although he is shown as a carpent er by trade on the Bevis passengerlist,it does not appear that he worked as such in this country, where records show hi m to be a farmer. A freeman of Weymouth 13 May 1640 and of Rehoboth 28 Mar 1645. Captain of the Colony. Some records given Abigail Sale s (Searles) as wife and others Abigail Bennett, Ralph his brother is also listed as a spouse to Abigail Bennett. It i s likely thatthis William was married twice. Abigail Bennett died in 1687 in Rehoboth. If this is true the first thre e kids are AS and others to AB. However, Ref 285 shows his wife as being Abigail Briant, born 27 May 1604. Per "Genealogical & Family History of Western New York,"Lewis 1912, page 1253 the foll. is given: Will dated 12 Apr 165 9, proved 7 Feb 1659, he married in England, Abigail who died 22 Feb, 1687. On page 1318: His birth is listed as 25 MA Y 1605. Records show that he was a fine writer, a man of affairs, possessed of much ability. Other Information includes but no t limited to; Deputy to the General Court from Weymouth in 1641-43 and from Rehoboth in 1645, Constable in 1641. He wa s a closefriend toGov. William Bradford, who married his cousin Alice Carpenter. He bought the area now called Rehobot h (8 miles square) from the Indians. Proprietors' clerk from 1643-49. Contributed toward the expenses of King Phillip s War. He was a Captain of militia. See also San Diego Family History Center book 929.273 C226c. This original typed copy contains descendants not include d in the 1898 book. AFN LSD9-5L is apparently the same person with Baptism date as birth date. He was representative of Weymouth, in 1641 and 1643 and from the town of Rehoboth in 1645; constable in 1641. There i s no doubt but that it was through the influence of Gov. Bradford and his wife Alice that William Carpenter of Weymout h was inducedto cometo New England; and by William Carpenter of Providence, the Seekonk Plain was pointed out to his co usin, William of Weymouth, on account of its adaptability as a tract of territory for a colony. During the two years residence in America of William of Providence, (before William of Weymouth came over), he must hav e learned about the soil and location. Soon after William of Weymouth landed, his attention was drawn to this location , probablyby his cousin, and he commenced immediately to go to work to secure it; and there is no doubt but that Willia m of Weymouth had as much or more to do in setting a colony there than any one of the proprietors. He was in the colon y only three yearswhen he was elected to the General Court of Plymouth and no doubt for the purpose of obtaining permis sion to make a purchase of this territory. In 1641 he was representative of Weymouth to the General Court, and throug h his influence the permissionwasgranted. The Court conceded all that he asked as appears from an extract from the Prop rietors Record. (See Vol. I., p.1) "Whereas, the Court of Plymouth was pleased in the year 1641 (thereabouts) to grant unto the inhabitants of Seekonk (al ies Rehoboth) liberty to take up a tract of land for their comfortable inhabitant containing a quantity of eight mile s square;and the Court was pleased to appoint Mr. John Brown and Mr. Edward Winslow to purchase the aforesaid tract o f land of Asamacum, the chief of Sachems and owner thereof, which accordingly hath been effected, and the purchase mad e by the aforesaidinhabitants accordingto the Court order.." This was the same tract of land selected by Roger William s when driven out of the Massachusetts Colony for a settlement, but when it was found to be in the limits of Massachuse tts he removed to ProvidenceR.I. At a proprietors meeting held in Weymouth before the emigration to Rehoboth, the latte r part of the year 1613. William Carpenter was chosen Proprietor clerk. At a second meeting in Weymouth the same year , it was voted to divide the realestate of Rehoboth according to the personand value of each settler. The Town Records of Rehoboth commenced in 1643. The territory of the Town included what is now called Attleboro, Seekon k, a part of Cumberland, Swansey and East Providence. Many of the Carpenter residents of these towns are treated as bei ng residences ofthe old Town of Rehoboth though they may reside in some one of the other towns. The estate of William C arpenter was valued at 254 pounds and 10 shillings. He served as Proprietor and Town Clerk from 1643 until 1649. William Carpenter of Weymouth witnessed and seems to have drawn the deed of a tract of land from the Indians to John To wer the elder. His autograph on the instrument to which it is attached is a most excellent specimen of the choreograph y of thatage. (NewEngland Register, Vol.1, p.137)" The legal business of the Town or Colony was done principally by him; he was accurate in all his business transactions . He paid at one time eight pounds and seventeen shillings and three pence towards the expenses of King Philips war. H e was oneofthe committee to lay out a road from Rehoboth to Dedham, at an early day. In 1645, William Carpenter with others was chosen to look after the interests of the Town, and again in the same year W illiam was chosen with others to hear and decide on grievances in regard to the division of the land by lots; in the sa me yearhewas chosen by the Town to represent them in the Court at Plymouth. In 1647 he was chosen as one of the directo rs of the Town; also again in 1655. In 1653 is the first that his name was written William Carpenter, Sr. His son Willi am would be 21atthis date and wasa resident of the Town. The first settlement of the Colony of Rehoboth consisted of 58 members from Weymouth, Mass., who drew lots on the divis ion of lands, June 31, 1644. William Carpenter's name in that division stands as No.10. By a previous vote of the Propr ietors in1643 there was a mutual agreement that each man's allotment might be taken up according to his person and esta te and also that each should bear his share of the public charges both for the present and future. In this list the nam e of Williams Carpenter individualNo. 16 stood as No.48 and the value of his estate was estimated at 254 pounds and 1 0 shillings. The homes of this Colony were built in a semicircle around Seekonk Common and open toward Seekonk river. T his semicircle was called"The Ring of the Town." At a meeting of the proprietors in 1644 it was voted that nine men should be chosen to order the prudential affairs o f the plantation and that they should have the power to dispose of the lands inlots of 12, 8 or 6 acres "as in their di scretion they thinkthe quality of the estate of the person do require." This applies to houselots. It was further order ed that no person should sell his improvements "except to such as the Town shall accept of." It was also ordered that " the meeting houseshall stand in themidst of the Town." It appears evident by tradition that the first meeting house wa s built in the old graveyard near where the tomb now is a probably faced toward the south.William Carpenter No.18 and S amuel No.23 were buriednear the entrance to the church. The residence of William Carpenter No.16 appears by the descrip tion given in his will and by tradition to have been located in the "Ring" directly east of the meeting house. The "Ring" at the present time (1896) is indicated by tr adition and by some 12 or more buttonwood trees that were set out at an early day in front of the houses, the stumps o r rootsoftwo of the trees are all that is left to indicate where William and his son Samuel resided. At a meeting the same year (1644) it was ordered "for time past and time to come that all workmen that have worked or s hall work in any common work or for any particular person shall have for their wages for each day's work as follows: Fo r each laborer from the first day of November until the first day of February, 18 pence per day and for the rest of th e year 20 pence per day except in harvest." The price fixed for wheat was four shilling and sixpence per bushel. Wampu m was fixed at eight for a penny. William Carpenter, Clerk The following are the names of Carpenters who held rights in the grant of Rehoboth in 1698: John Carpenter No. 31 John Titus, who m Abigail Carpenter No.22 William Carpenter, No. 18 William Carpenter, Jr. No.32 Samuel Carpenter No. 62 - Sons of Samuel Carpenter No. 23 deceased. It appears that Abiah Carpenter No. 64 - they were of age at this time and held rights in their own James Carpenter No.65 - name. Jonathan Carpenter No.67 David Carpenter No. 68 Solomon Carpenter No. 69 Zachariah Carpenter No. 70 Abraham Carpenter No. 71 Eliphalet Carpenter No. 98, deriving his right from his grandfather Readaway by will. Rebecca Carpenter probably dau. Of Abiah of Pawtuxet No. 31. Joseph Carpenter No. 45 - Benjamin Carpenter No. 46 Sons of Joseph No. 19 of Swansey, Mass. John Carpenter No. 47 - The last will and testament of William Carpenter, Senior. of Rehoboth, late deceased, exhibited before Captain Thomas W illett, Major Josiah Winslow, and Mr.. William Bradford, the 21st of April. 1695. Dated the 10th month, the 10th day o f the month. "IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I William Carpenter, Sr. of Rehoboth. being in perfect memory at present, blested be God, d o make my last will and Testament (1)-I give to my son John Carpenter one mare, being the old white mare, and my best dublet. and my handsomest coat, an d new cloth to make him a pair of breeches (2)-I give unto his son beside twenty shillings to buy him a calf. (3)-I give to him Mr. Ainsworths upon the five books of Moses. Canticles and Psalms. and Mr. Brightman on revelation, a nd my concordance. (4~I give to my sot' William the young grey mare. or two }yearling colts, and five pounds. in sugar or wampum, and my ( passett) coate, and one suit of apparel and Mr. Mahew on the four Evangelists upon the 14 chapters of Saule (or Paul). (5)-I give unto him my Latin books, my Greek grammer, and Hebrew grammer, and my Greek Lexicon, and I give him 10 (or 5 ) pounds of cotton wool: and to his son John, twenty shillings to be paid to him a year after my decease. (6)-I give unto my son Joseph, two of the youngest steers of the four that were bought to work this year; and to his so n Joseph, twenty shillings, and to Joseph I give one of Perkins' works and of Barrows upon private contentious called h arts divisions. (7)-I give to Joseph a suit of better cloths, to be given at his mother's discretion, and I give hint a green serge coa t, and ten pounds of cotton wool, and a match lock gun. {8)-l give to my daughter Hannah half of my Common at Pawtuxet, and one-third of my impropriate, only my meadow excepte d, and my home lot, and that land I had laid out to cousin that I had for the low land cousin Carpenter that I had by . (No doubtrefers to exchange of land or land purchased of Joseph Carpenter son of William of Providence, R.I.) (9)-I to my daughter Hannah one yearling heifer, also I give Hannah her Bible, the practice of piety and the volume o f prayer, and one ewe at the island, and twenty pounds of cotton, and six pounds of wool. (10)-I give to my son (Abijah) Abiah the rest of my land at Pawtuxet. and the meadow, after my decease; and his mothe r and Samuel to help him to build a house, because Samuel hath a house built already. Only if my wife marry again, sh e shall havenothing to do with that land. (11)-I give to my daughter Abigail, one young mare, a three-year-old bay mare, and if the mare should be dead at Spring , she shall have fifteen pounds in her stead. within one year after my decease. (12)-I give twenty shillings to John Titus, his for to be paid a year after my decease: but if John Titus comes to dwel l and take the house and land, which I sent him word he shall have if he come, then. he shall have the land and not th e money. (13)-I give to my son Samuel, one-half of my land which I now live upon. (and two pens of the young sheep, two cows, one bull) and he now lives on, with his furniture, and half of my working t ools; and Abiah the other half; and Samuel to have one book of Psalms, a Dictionary and a gun, and my best coat and on e ewe atthe island. (14)-I give to my wife the other half of the land I now live upon, her lifetime, and the use of my household stuff, car ts, and plows, if she marry not. But if she marry, she shall have a third part in my land, and Samuel, the rest; and sh e shallhave fouroxen, one mare, which is called the black mare, farrows, one bed and it's furniture, one pot, one gun, 1 kettle and one littl e and one skillet, and half of the powder her lifetime, and then to give it up to the children, and if she does not mar ry, to have the rest of my land at Pawtucket, which remaineth, that which is left when is not given to my daughter Hann ah, and that which is left Abiah to have after my wife's decease, if she marry to have it the next year after. (15)-I give to my wife those books of Perkins called Christ's Sermon on the Mount, the good Bible, Buroughs Jewell of C ontentment, the oil of Cladness. (16)-I give her two hundred of sugar. (17)-My wife is to have the room I now lodge in, and the chamber over it, and to have liberty to come to the fire and d o her occasions, and she shall have the meadow that was made in John Titus lot because it is near, and she is to hav e a way tothe swampthrough the lot. And if John Titus come, Samuel is to have tw o acres out of his lot that is not broken up, and my 1 CONT wife is to have the rest: and Samuel to break it up for her . Also I gave to my wife (corn) towards housekeeping, and the cloth in the house toward the clothing herself and childr en withher, and wine that she hath to serve towards housekeeping, and three acres at the Island. (18)-I give to Abiah a yearling mare colt, being the white mare's colt, and one yearling, heifer and Dr. Jarvis's Catec hism, and Helens History of the World, and one ewe about my wife's occasion when she was at the Island. (Abiah was to c are forher when at the Island) (19)-When the legacies are paid out, the remainder is to be disposed among the children at the discretion of my wife an d the overseers. Memorandum: - If my son Titus come and do possess the land, I said he should have as namely the house , land andorchard,and corn. Joseph had the land in two divisions, the fresh meadow, salt one last laid out, and not th e fresh I fenced in, and to pay the rates for, for that he do agree, and if he go from it, he shall not sell it to any but his br other Samuel or his mother. This is my Will and Testament, to which I set my hand William Carpenter of Rehoboth The day and year before written (20)-I make my wife the Executrix, and my Overseer to be Richard Bowen, and John Allen is to be helpful to my wife, an d I appoint my brother Carpenter to help, and to have ten shillings for their pains. This will was attached this 21st day of April, 1659 Thomas Willett Josiah Winslow William Bradford Plymouth, 7th February, 1669. The foregoing is a true copy from Plymouth Colony Records. Wills, Vol.2, Pages 80,81,82,a nd 83. Per. William S. Danforth Registry According to this will of William Carpenter (No.16.wife Abigail) he owned real estate at Pawtuxet, R.I., called "The Is land" which he divided between his daughters Hannah and his son Abiah. Part of this land he purchased from Benedict Arn old andpart fromhis cousin Joseph, the son of William of Providence. It appears that the land referred to was owned b y William of Rehoboth in company with William and Joseph of Providence and occupied by them without any division line s except those madebynature. Pawtuxetis some four or five miles from Providence and was included in that colony. Rehobo th being about eight miles from Pawtuxet on the east side of Seekonk river easterly. William of Rehoboth would have t o pass through Providence toreach Pawtuxet unless he went by water. The Island referred to is made by a bend in the Paw tuxet River, water not only running around it, but through it from bank to river, dividing it into three lots, suitabl e for grazing and mowing, the streamsfencing it so that sheep and cattlecould not wander. Probably their was no spot i n all that region from which so much profit could be derived as it was well suited for keeping sheep and cattle both wi nter and summer. As William Carpenter of Rehoboth lived only about 13 years after the settlement of that colony it is very strange tha t he should buy land outside of it unless he had some friend to advise him of the value of such a purchase. It is als o very strangethat William of Providence should take a partner from another colony unless one for whom he had a very st rong friendship. Can there be any doubt in the mind of the reader who was meant by William of Rehoboth when he appointe d "Brother Carpenter"to be helpful tohis wife in settling the estate or who was meant by "cousin had by?" It could be n o other than Joseph the son of William Carpenter of Providence, R.I. We have more conclusive evidence of the relationsh ip in the record of a purchase of real estate by William Carpenter of Rehoboth from William Carpenter of Providence. Th e deed of this purchase is on the Records of Warwick, R.I., in which deed William Carpenter of Providence is called "cousin." In the will of William Carpenter of Re hoboth, William Carpenter of Providence is called "brother Carpenter" and his son Joseph of Providence is called "cousin." About 1642, William Carpenter (No.16), (born in 1605) was appointed Captain for one or more years by the General Cour t of Massachusetts at Boston. This appointment was made necessary by the attempt of Samuel Gorton and his followers t o seize portions of the lands included in the Providence Plantations, claiming them as their own by right of purchase f rom the Indians. The Providence colonists disputed this claim knowing that they rightfully held the lands through a dee d from the Indians to Roger Williams and his 13 associates. Anticipating trouble and knowing that they were to weak t o deal with Gorton without the aid of a military organization, the colonists applied for protection. The following abst ract of extracts taken from the historical account of thetroubles of that time, (1642), will explain more fully the con ditions of affairs. "William Carpenter of Providence, Benedict Arnold, Robert Cole and William Arnold appeared before the General Court a t Boston and yielded themselves and their lands to be governed and protected by the Massachusetts Colony and were accep ted by thatColony.In answer to their complaints Samuel Gorton and his associates were summonsed to appear before the Ge neral Court of Massachusetts, but they refused to recognize its authority and did not obey the summons. Gorton was acco rdingly informedthat Commissionerswould be sent to Shawomet to investigate the whole matter in dispute and that they would be attended with a sufficient guard to protect them from violence or injury. When the notice that they were on th e way reached Gorton and his followers at Shawomet they dispatched a letter to the Commissioners giving them to underst and thatif they came in any way hostile, they came at their peril. During the troubles which followed there was blood s pilled on both sides." * * * "Samuel Gorton and his followers came to Pawtuxet from Aquidneck and were received in a friendly manner although not ac cepted as residents of the Providence Plantations. They were taken into the houses of the colonist who, in some instanc es, gavethem an undivided right in their lands. Gorton soon became very turbulent and over-bearing, claiming to be th e legal owner of that territory. The meadow lands in the bend of the Pawtuxet river, which supplied the new settlers with hay and pas turage were the cause of the contention which followed. This tract of land was within the limits of the Providence Plan tationsand was bought by Roger Williams and his 13 associates from Canonicus, Chief of the Narragansetts, who gave the m a good and valid title. The colony of Providence being weak, Gorton took advantage of their weakness and bought the s ame tract of theIndians and thoughtto maintain his pretended rights by force and also continued to harvest the grass, e tc. to the damage of William Carpenter of Providence and others. In 1643 or 1644 troops were sent from Massachusetts at arrest Gorton and his followers, but being resisted by them th e troops were ordered to open fire which brought them to submission and they were taken to Boston and imprisoned." The following copy of records will explain more fully the complaints of the colonists. The ancient spelling, punctuatio n, etc. have been retained as being of interest to the reader. "So now there was one Robert Coles and John Greene who were Two of ye 13 purchasers of pautuxet lands; Robert Coles bei ng a fauerrt of gortons gave him half of his undevided lands at pautuxet: & John Greene one of this chiefe prossolighte s gave gorton half of his devided lands at pautuxet. So by vertue of thise gifts. Gorton & many of his companey wen t & built houses at papawuinepaug in pautuxet purchis;&gorton & his companey perceived yt pautuxet mens deeds from myantenomy to bee wee ke, thay bought patuxet lands againe over ye heades of those men that had dwelt there three or four year before, who ha d boughtye sayd lands of socannanco ye true howner and sachim of pautuxet lands - but gorton & his companey who becomin g as bad and insolent & turblent as himself; an so thay beeganne to warne William Arnold and William Carpenter (of Prov idence) that haddwelt there four year before they came there, that they shoud begone or else they must be there tennant s; & much other wiked & insolent behavior, insomuch that William arnold and Carpenter (of Providence) were forced to su bject themselves to yemassachusets; and Robert Coles who had given gorton half his undevided land at pautuxet, perceui d that hee was like to loose all, hee Joyned with William Arnold & William Carpenter (of Providence).& so subiected the mselves and their lands to yeGouernmcnt of ye mashatuset together. but gorton & his companey grewe more insollent & wic ked then ever thay were, insomuch that those three men made their complaint & puttitioned the massatusets for help& suc ker against them. where upon ye Gouernor& aaistatnta) of ye massahcuscts sent a warrant vnto gorton & his companey in t his manner as followeth : Where as william arnold and Robart Coles & others haue lately put them-selues & their famelies lands & estates vnder y e protection & Gouernment of this Jurysdiction: & haue since complained to vs, That you hane vpon pretence of a late pu rchise fromye Indiana you goe about to depriuc them of their lawfull intrest confirmed by four years posession & otber- wise to molest them : We thought good therefore to wright to you on their behalfe to giue you notice that thay & thei r lands being yi'derour Jurisdiction. we are to maintayne them in theit lawft:+f Rirht~ If ?her'(wre you have any Just titell to anything tha y posaesse, you may proceed against them in our court, where you shall havc equal Justice; but if you shall proseed t o any violence, you must not blame vs if we shall take a like course to right them John Winthrop Gourener Thom Dudley Ye 28. of ye 8th m - 1642 - Ri -bellingham Incr: nowell." William Carpenter, then of Weymouth, no doubt received his commission as Captain from the Governor of Massachusetts abo ut 1642, at the time of these difficulties and was called upon to act for the protection and ownership of the Pawtuxe t lands. Inthis waytheir value and desirability and the profit arising from the mowing and pasturage came under his obs ervation. The meadow land in the bend of the Pawtuxet river was called in the will of William Carpenter of Rehoboth, "The Island." It appears that soon after these difficulties William Carpenter of Providence and Benedict Arnold became the owners o f the Meadows, and Benedict Arnold sold his undivided right to William Carpenter of Rehoboth, Mass., which lands were g iven. in thewill ofWilliam Carpenter of Rehoboth, to his daughter Hannah and son Abiah. In 1638 a conveyance called th e "Towns Evidence" passed between the Indian Sachems Canonicus and Miantonomah and Roger Williams, and then the whole land was conveyed to his twelve associates, reserving a thirteenth share for himself-Roger Williams. By agreement a por tion of the tract was set apart and not to belong to the "common lands" of the town of Providence. In the will of Willi am Carpenter of Rehoboth of his land at Pawtuxet to his daughter Hannah: "Gives her one-third part of my impropriate." The above extract from the records explains what land was meant in the wi ll by "impropriate."203, pg 38-44 BOOK:- GENEALOGY: Carpenter and Allied Families by Miss Annie L. Carpenter, The American Historical Society, Inc., NY , published in 1936. Page 11-13. See LDS film #1449498; c225a; 0928227; 1404120. !See Carpenter Family publication, LDS film #1685645. See Rehoboth MA v ital Records Arnold pp. 571, 578 The Carpenter Memorial, The Rehoboth Branch of The Carpenter Family, 1898, pg. 38 to 5 0. Weymouth Historical Society publication N2, pg 254-287 New England Historical & Genealogical Register Vol LXV p.65 See also San Diego Family History Center book 929.273 C226c. This original typed copy contains descendants not include d in the 1898 book. AFN LSD9-5L is apparently the same person with Baptism date as birth date. BOOK:- GENEALOGY: Carpenter and Allied Families by Miss Annie L. Carpenter, The American Historical Society, Inc., NY , published in 1936. Page 11-13. See LDS film #1449498; c225a; 0928227; 1404120. !See Carpenter Family publication, LDS film #1685645. See Rehoboth MA v ital Records Arnold pp. 571, 578 The Carpenter Memorial, The Rehoboth Branch of The Carpenter Family, 1898, pg. 38 to 5 0. Weymouth Historical Society publication N2, pg 254-287 New England Historical & Genealogical Register Vol LXV p.65 Date: 06 MAY 2008