Born ‎1605 at ,, , England, died ‎07 Feb 1659 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States‎, age 53 or 54 years, buried at Newman Cemetery, East Providence,, Rhode Island, United States. Occupation: Farmer

San Diego Family History Center Book 929.273 C226c
He was representative of Weymouth in 1641 and 1643 and from the town of Rehoboth in 1645; constable in 1641. There is no doubt but that it was through the influence of Gov. Bradford and his wife Alice that William Carpenter of Weymouth was induced to come to New England; and by William Carpenter of Providence, the Seekonk Plain was pointed out to his cousin, William of Weymouth, on account of its adaptability as a tract of territory for a colony. During the 2 years of residence in America of William of Providence (before William of Weymouth came over.) he must have learned about the soil and location. Soon after William of Weymouth landed, his attention was drawn to this location probably by his cousin, and he commenced immediately to go to work to secure it; and there is no doubt that William of Weymouth had as much or more to do in settling a colony there than any one of the proprietors. He was in the colony only 3 years, when he was elected to the General Court of Plymouth and no doubt for the purpose of obtaining permission to make a purchase of this territory. In 1641 he was representative of Weymouth to the General Court, and through his influence the permission was granted. The court conceded all that he asked as appears from an abstract from the Proprietors Record Vol 1- page 1
"Whereas, the court of Plymouth was pleased in the year 1641 (thereabouts) to grant unto the inhabitants of Seekonk (alies Rehoboth) liberty to take up a tract of land for their comfortable inhabitant containing a quantity of 8 miles square, and the court was pleased to appoint Mr. John Brown and Mr. Edward Winslow to purchase the aforesaid tract of land of Assamacum, the chief of Schems and owner thereof, which accordingly hath been effected, and the purchase made by the aforesaid inhabitants according to the court order. "This was the same tract of land selected by Roger Williams when driven out of the Massachusetts Colony for a settlement, but when it was found to be in the limits of mass. he removed to Providence RI, At a proprietors meeting held in Weymouth before the emigration to Rehoboth, the latter part of the year 1613. William Carpenter was chosen Proprietors Clerk. At a second meeting in Weymouth the same year, it was voted to divide the real estate of Rehoboth according to the person and value of each settler.

The town records of Rehoboth commenced in 1643. The territory of the Town included what is now called Attleboro, Seekonk, a part of Cumberland, Swansey and E. Providence. many of the Carpenter residents of these towns are treated as being residents of the old Town of Rehoboth though they may reside in some one of the other towns. The estate of William Carpenter ws valued at 254 pounds and 10 shillings. He served as Proprietor and Town Clerk from 1643-1649.

William Carpenter of Weymouth witnessed and seems to have drawn the deed of a tract of land from the Indians to John Tower the elder. His autograph on the instrument to which it is attached is a most excellent specimen of the choreography of the age ---- New England Register Vol 1 -page 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, 8 pounds and 17 shillings and 3 pence towards the expenses of King Phillips war. He was one of the 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 William was chosen with others to hear and decide on grievances in regard to the division of the land by lots; in the same year he was chosen by the Town to represent them in the Court at Plymouth. In 1647, he was chosen as one of the directors of the Town; also again in 1655. In 1653 is the first that his name was written William Carpenter, Sr. His son William would be 21 at this date and was a resident of the Town.
The first settlement of the Colony of Rehoboth consisted of 58 members from Weymouth, Mass. who drew lots on the division of lands, June 31, 1644. William Carpenter's name in that division stands as 16 stood as 18, and Samuel 23, were buried near the entrance to the church. The residence of William Carpenter 16, appears by the description 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 tradition and by some 12 or more buttonwood trees that were set out at an early day in front of the houses, the stumps or roots of the trees are all that is left to indicate where William and 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 shall work in any common work or for any particular person shall have for their wages for each day's work as follows: For each laborer from the first day of Nov until the first day of Feb, 18 pence per day and for the rest of the year 20 pence per day except in the harvest." The price fixed for wheat was 4 shilling and 6pence per bushel. Wampum was fixed at 8 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 22, William Carpenter 32.

Samuel Carpenter 62 --sons of Samuel Carpenter 23 deceased. It appears that Abiah Carpenter 64, they were of age at this time and held rights of their own.
James Carpenter 65, Jonathan Carpenter 67, David Carpenter 68, Solomon Carpenter 69, Zachariah Carpenter 70, Abraham Carpenter 71,
Eliphalet Carpenter 98, deriving his right from his grandfather Readaway by will.
Rebecca Carpenter , probably the dau of Abiah of Pawtuxet 31, Joseph Carpenter 45, Benjamin Carpenter 46 sons of Jsoeph 19 of Swansey, Mass. John Carpenter 47,

The last will and testament of Wm Carpenter, Sr. of Rehoboth, late deceased, exhibited before Captain Thomas Willett. Major Josiah Winslow, and Mr. William Bradford, the 21st of April 1695. Dated the 10th month, the 10th day of the month. "INTHE NAME OF GOD AMEN,I, William Carpenter, Sr. of Rehoboth, being in perfect memory at present, blested by God, do 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, and new cloth to make him a pair of breeches.
2. I give unto his son beside 20 shillings to buy him a calf.
3. I give to him Mr. Ainsworths upon the 5 books of Moses Canticles and Psalms. and Mr Brightman on revelation, and my concordance.
4- I give to my sot'William the young grey mare or 2 yearling colts, and 5 pounds in sugar or wampum, and my passett coate, and 1 suit of apparel and Mr. Mahew on the 4 evangelists upon the 14 chapters of Saule (Paul ?)
5- I give unto him my Latin Books, my Greek grammer, and Hebrew Grammer, and My Greek Lexicon, and I give him 10 pounds of cotton wool; and to his son John, 20 shillings to be paid to him a year after my decease.
6- I give unto my son Joseph, 2 of the youngest steers of the 4 that were bought to work this year; anbd to his son Joseph, 20 shillings and to Joseph I give one of Perkins' works and of Barrows upon private contentious called harts division.
7- I give to Joseph a suit of better cloths, to be given at his mothers discretion, and I give him a green surge coat, and 10 pounds of cotton wool, and a match lock gun.
8- I give to my daughter Hannah half of my Common at Pawtuxet, and 1/3 of my impropriate, only my meadow excepted, 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 doubt refers to exchange of land or land purchased of Joseph Carpenter son of William of Providence RI_)
9- I to my daughter Hannah one yearling heifer, also I give Hannah her Bible, the practice of piety and the volume of prayer, and one ewe at the island, and 20 pounds of cotton, and 6 pounds of wool.
10- I give to my son Abiah the rest of my land at Pawtuxet and the meadow, after my decease, and his mother and Samuel to help him to build a house, because Samuel hath a house built already. Only if my wife marry again, she shall have nothing to do with that land.
11- I give to my daughter Abigail, 1 young mare, a 3 year old bay mare, and if the mare should be dead at Spring, she shall have 15 pounds in her stead, within one year after my decease.
12- I give 20 shillings to John Titus, his for to be paid a year after my decease, but if John Titus comes to dwell 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 the money.
13- I give to my son Samuel, 1/2 of my land which I now live upon ( and 2 pens of young sheep, 2 cows, 1 bull), and he now lives on, with his furniture, and half of my working tools, and Abiah the other half, and Samuel to have 1 book of Psalms, a Dictionary, and a gun, and my best coat and 1 ewe at the 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, carts, and plows, if she marry not. But if she marry, she shall have a third part in my land, and Samuel the rest, and she shall have 4 oxen, 1 mare, which is called the black mare, farrows, 1 bed and its furniture, 1 pot and 1 gun, 1 kettle and 1 little and 1 skillet, and half of the powder her lifetime, and then to give it up to the children, and if she does not marry, to have the rest of my lands at Pawtuxet which remaineth that which is left when is not given to my daughter Hannah, 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, Burroughs Jewell of Contentment, the oil oc Cladness
16- I give her 200 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 do her occasions, and she shall have the meadow that was made in John Tituis lot because it is near, and she is to have a way to the swamp through the lot. And if John Titus come, Samuel is to have 2 acres out of his lot that is not broken up, and my wife is to have the rest, and Samuel to break it up for her. Also I give to my wife (corn) towards housekeeping, and the cloth in the house toward the clothing herself and children with her, and wine that she hath to serve towards housekeeping, and 3 acres at the Island.
18- I give to Abiah a yearling mare colt, being the white mare's colt, and 1 yearling , heifer and Dr, JArvis's Catechism, and Helens History of the World and 1 ewe about my wife's occasion when she was at the island (Abiah was to care for her when at the island).
19- When the legacies are paid out, the remainder is to be disposed of among the children at the discretion of my wife and the overseers. Memorandum--- If my son Titus come and do possess the land, I said he should have as namely the house, land, and orchard and corn, Joseph had the land in 2 divisions the fresh meadow, salt one last laid out, and not the 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 brother 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 executix, nd my Overseer to be Richard Bowenm and John Allen is to be helpful to my wife, and i appoint my brother Carpenter to help, and to have 10 shillings for their pains.
This will was attached this 21st day of April 1659 Thomas Willett, Joseph Winslow, William Bradford.
Plymouth, 7th FEb 1669. The foregoing is a true copy from Plymouth Colony Records. Wills, pages 80.81. 82. and 83.
PEr William S. Danforth, Registry

According to this will of William Carpenter (16, wife Abigail), he owned real estate at Pawtuxet, RI, called "The Island". which he divided between his daughter Hannah and his sob Abiah. Part of this land he purchased from Benedict Arnold and part from his cousin, Joseph, the son of William of Providence. It appears that the land referred to was owned bt Wm of Rehoboth in company with Wm and Joseph of Providence and occupied by them without any division lines except those made by nature. Pawtuxet is some 4-5 miles from Providence and was included in tht colony. Rehoboth being about 8 miles from Pawtuxet on the east side of Seekonk River easterly. Wm of Rehoboth would have to pass through Providence to reach Pawtuxet unless he went by water. The Island referred to is made by a bend in the Pawtuxet River, water not only running around it, but through it from bank to river, dividing it into 3 lots, suitable for grazing and mowing, the streams fencing it so that sheep and cattle could not wander. Probably their was no spot in all that region from which so much profit could be derived as it was well suited for keeping sheep and cattle both winter and summer.
As William Carpenter of Rehoboth lived only 13 years after the settlement of that colony it is very strange that he should buy land outside of it unless he and some friend advise him of the value of such a purchase. It is also very strange that William of Providence should take a partner from another colony unless one for whom he had a very strong friendship. Can there be any doubt who was meant by William of Rehoboth when he appointed "Brother Carpenter" to be helpful to his wife in settling the estate or who was meant by "cousin had by?" It could be no other than Joseph the son of William Carpenter of Providence RI, We have more conclusive evidence of the relationship in the record of a purchase of real estate by William Carpenter of Rehoboth from William Carpenter of Providence is called "cousin" In the will of William Carpenter of Rehoboth, William Carpenter of Providence is called "brother Carpenter" and his son Joseph of Providence is called "cousin"/
About 1642, William Carpenter (16) born 1605, was appointed Captain for one or more years by the General Court of Mass. at Boston. This appointment was made necessary by the attempt of Samuel Gorton and his followers to seize portions of the lands included in the Providence Plantations, claiming them as their own by right of purchase from the Indians. The Providence colonists disputed this claim knowing that they rightfully held the lands through a deed from the Indians to Roger Williams and his 13 associates. Anticipating trouble and knowing that they were to weak to deal with Gorton without the aid of a military organization, the colonists applied for protection. The following abstract of extracts taken from the historical account of the troubles of that time, (1642), will explain more fully the condition of affairs.
"William Carpenter of Providence, Benedict Arnold, Robert Cole, and William Arnold appeared before the General Court at Boston and yielded themselves and their lands be governed and protected by the Mass. Colony and were accepted by that Colony. In answer to their complaints Samuel Gorton and his associates were summoned to appear before the General Court of Mass, but they refused to recognize it's authority and did not obey the summons. Gorton was accordingly informed that Commissioners would 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 the way reached Gorton and his followers at Shawomet they dispatched a letter to the commissioners giving them to understand that if they came in anyway hostile, they came at their peril. During the troubles which followed there was blood spilled on both sides.------
Samuel Gorton and his followers came to Pawtuxet from Aquidneck and were received in a friendly manner although not accepted as residents of the Providence Plantations. They were taken into the houses of the colonists who, in some instances, gave them an undivided right in their lands. Gorton soon became very turbulent and over-bearing, claiming to be the legal owner of that territory. The meadow lands in the bend of the Pawtuxet river, which supplied the new settlers with hay and pasturage were the cause of the contention which followed. This tract of land was within the limits of the Providence Plantations and was bought by Roger Williams and his 13 associates from Canonicus, Chief of the Narragansetts, who gave them a good and valid title. The colony of Providence being weak, Gorton took advantage of their weakness and bought the same tract of the Indians and thought to maintain his pretended rights by force and also continued to harvest the grasses, etc to the damage of William Carpenter of Providence and the others.
In 1643-44 troops were sent from Mass. at arrest Gorton and his followers, but being resisted by them teh 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, punctuation, etc have been retained as being of interest.
"So now there was one Robert Coles and John Greene who were Two of ye13 purchasers of pawtuxet lands; Robert Cole being a fauerrt of gortond gave him half of his undivided lands at pawtuxet and John Greene one of his chief proselytes gave gorton half of his divided lands at pawtuxet. So by vertue of these gifts, Gorton and many of his companey went and built houses at papawuinepaug in pawtuxet puchis and gorton and his companey perceived yt pautuxet mens deeds from myantenomy to bee weeke, they bought patuxet lands againe over ye heades of thos men that had dwelt there 3-4 years before, who had bought ye said lands of socannanco ye true howner and sachim of pantuxet lands - but gorton and his companey who becoming as bad an insolent and turbulent as hisself; and so thay beegnne to warne William Arnold and William Carpenter (of Providence) that had dwelt there 4 years before they camethere, tht they should begone or else they must be tehre tennants And much other wiked and insoilent behavior, insomuch that William Arnold and Carpenter of Providence wre forced to subject themselves to ye massachusetts; and Robert Coles who had given gorton half this undevided land at pautexet perceuid that hee was like to loose all, hee joyned with William arnold and William carpenter of Providence and so subjected themselfes and their lands to ye Gouernment of ye mashatuset together, but gorton and his companey grewe more insollent and wicked than ever thay were; insomuch that those 3 men made their complaint and puttioned the massatusets for help and sucker against them where upon ye Gouernor and assisants of ye massachcusts sent a warrant unto gorton and his compancy in this manner as followeth. Where as William Arnold and Robert Coles and others haue lately put themselves and their families lands and estates under the protection and Gouernment of this Jurysdiction and haue since complained to us that you hane upon pretence of a late purchise from ye Indiuana you goe about to depriue them oif their lawfull interest confirmed by 4 years possn and otehrwise to molest them, We thought good therefore to wright to you on thr behalf to giue yo notice that thay and ther lands being yi'der our Jurisdidction we are to maintayune them in their lawft anbd right. If other' were you have any just titell to anything they possess, you may proceed agaiust them in ar court, where you shall have equal justice, but if you proseed to any violence, you must not blame us if we shall take a like corse to right them.
John Winthrup Gourener, Thom Dudley ye28 of ye 8th mn -1642 Ri-bellingham

William Carpenter, then of Weymouth, no doubt received his commission as Captain from the Governor of Mass about 1642, at the time of these difficulties and was called upon to act for the protection and ownership of the Pawtuxet lands. In this way their value and desirablility and the profits arising from the mowing and pasturage came under his observation,. The meadw land in the bend of the Pawtuxet river was called in the will of William Carpenter "the island".
It appears that soon after these difficulties William carpenter of Providence and Benedict Arnold became the owners of the MEadows, and Benedict Arnold sold his undivided right to William Carpenter of Rehoboth Mass, which lands were given in the will of William Carpenter of Rehoboth to his daughter Hannah and son abiah.
In 1638, a conveyance called the "Towns Evidences" passed between the Indian Sachems Canonicus and Miantonomah and Roger Williams, and then teh whole land was conveyed to his 12 associates, reservinga 13th share for himself-Roger Williams. By agreement a portion of the tract was set apart and not to belong to the "common lands" of the town of Providence.
In the will of William Carpenter of REhoboth of his land at Pawtuxet to his daughter Hannah.
"Gives her 1/3 part of my inpropriate." The above extract from the records explains what land was meant in the will by "impropriate".

Sources: Carpenter and Allied Families --Annie L. Carpenter -The amer Historical Society Ny 1936 -pages 11-13
See LDS films 1449498;c225sa, 0928227; 1404120
Carpenter Family publication LDS film 1685645
REhoboth Ma vital records -- ARnold pp 571,578
The Carpenter Memorial
The Rehoboth Branch of the Carpenter family 1898, pag 38-50
Weymouth Hist. Society publication N2, pg 254-287
New England Hist and Gen Reegister Vol LXV pg 65
San Diego History Center Book 929.273 c226c
Ged com file Weyr7ha from genserv - 12-26-1997
The family of William Carpenter of Rehoboth Ma --- American Genealogist Vol70-page 280 Oct 1995by Eugene Cole
book Genealogy of Rehoboth branch of Carpenter Family in America by Amos B. Carpenter
E-mails John Demott --demott@voyager.net / 11720 Clinton Rd., Rives Jctn, Mi, 49277 -517-569-2500

William Carpenter, came to America in 1638 in the ship BELVIS, with his wife, Abigail, and 4 children all under the age of 10 years. He was born in 1605, she in 1606. He was at the time 33 years old; she 32. They came in the ship BELVIS from South Hampton, England, a total of 161 persons. They were accompanied by William's father William who then returned to England, also by a 14 year old servant boy, Theo Banshott. "The name of the passengers intend to ship themselves in the BELVIS of Hampton for New England and they by virtue of the Lord Treasurer warrant of the second of May which was after retained and they some days gone to sea before the King's mates proclamation came unto (Southern) South Hampton.

from Preston Carpenter --Family history .com posting /Carpenter board
I have a book written by a will known researcher of the New England branch of Carpenter family. He is Paul Mowery who lives in Dover, Oh and am going to try to explain about William through his book which I trust fully.
The American immigrants William (11) Carpenter of Providence RI, and Captain William (11) of Rehoboth, Massachusetts were first cousins. The father of William of Providence RI was Richard (10) of Amesbury, Wiltshire. The father of Captain William Carpenter of Rehobth was William (10) Carpenter of Horwell, Hampshire who came to America with his son on the ship, Bevis in 1638
So you see there were two Williams that came to America and you must find which one you are decended from. I am decended through William Carpenter of Providence RI. Further back they are all connected. There are a lot of my relatives who went to VA/WV and moved back to Ohio (where I also was born and am now living) We are all related in one way or the other. You must be careful not to confuse the English line With the German line of Carpenters (Zimmerman who changed there name to Carpenter in America) If I can help let me know. or email me at glue4wood@aol.com Preston


Looks like I had one William's birthdate, and the other's death date!
Just to make sure I am correct, this is what I now have:
William Carpenter, born about 1610 and died Sept 7, 1685.
Wife is Abigail Briant (not Searles).
From there DOWN I have:
Son: Abiah ( + Ann Weeks )1643-1702
Son: Oliver ( + Sarah ? ) 1675-1727
Son: Christopher ( + Mercy Taylor) 1695- ?
Son: Robert ( + Charity Roberts ) 1722-1777
Son: Robert ( + Phebe McNair) 1775-1838
Daughter: Rowena ( + William Pierce) 1819-1893
Does all of this look correct???
THANKS!!
Pam Weaver weaver1nycap.rr.com (genforum 2000)
Pam:Thanks for responding. Here's some help. William (1st gen. in America)b. 23 May 1605 in Wiltshire, England. d. & feb 1658 Rehoboth,Ma (I have been to his marker in Newman Cemetery, Rumford, RI), m. Abigail Briant, Shalbourne, England. (If you need sources, let me know).
son:Abiah b. 9 Apr 1643, Weymouth, Ma. d. bef. 1702, m. Mary Redaway
son:Oliver b.abt. 1675 Pawtuxet, RI, d.1727, m. Sarah ?
son:Christopher b. abt. 1718 R.I., Numerous children. Later moved to Maryland.
son:Robertb. 5 Mar 1721 East Greenwich, RI, d.1777
son:Robert b. 1775 in Connecticut Colony. I have more, but can't find the page I need.
Daughter: Rowena, (I have no info).

Your dates for William of Rehoboth were for William of Providence, his second cousin. That's a common error. Hope this helps. Regards, Bill William Haslun --