William Carpenter

Biography

William Carpenter married Abigail Briant at Shalbourne, a village on the historic Berkshire–Wiltshire boundary in southern England, on April 28, 1625. In 1638 they left England aboard the Bevis with four children and William's father. The family subsequently lived at Weymouth, south of Boston, before settling at Rehoboth, then a larger settlement spanning parts of today’s southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island.

William took part in colonial and town government. He represented Weymouth in the Massachusetts Bay General Court and later represented Rehoboth in the Plymouth General Court. His local responsibilities included examining land-allotment grievances, surveying, inspecting fences and overseeing roads. These were tasks concerned with the practical use and division of land in a growing settlement.

His will reveals another part of his life: a substantial collection of books. Alongside livestock, clothing, tools and land, he assigned religious works and language books to particular members of the family. His son William was to receive Latin books, Greek and Hebrew grammars and a Greek lexicon. John received biblical commentaries and a concordance. Abigail received a Bible and religious books of her own.

The provisions were equally attentive to work and household needs. William divided working tools between Samuel and Abiah. He left Abigail rights to land, the use of household goods, carts and ploughs, and rooms in the house. He also directed that she and Samuel help Abiah build a house, because Samuel already had one. The inheritance addressed an unevenly established family, with some children already provided for and others still needing practical assistance.

William died on February 7, 1658/9. His will was presented in April 1659, leaving Abigail responsible as executrix for carrying out its many separate provisions.

The family reconstruction estimates William’s birth in England around 1605. His son William was baptized at Shalbourne in 1631; the elder William died at Rehoboth.

The burial listing associates William Carpenter with Newman Cemetery, East Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States.