M. (1) 5 Oct 1651 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Wife: Priscilla Bennett
M. (2) 10 Dec 1663 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Wife: Miriam Searles
D. 26 Jan 1703 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts
William Carpenter was skilled at using a pen as well as a saw, and during a period of his life, he was appointed as his town’s clerk.
William was born in about 1631 to William Carpenter and Abigail Briant, somewhere near the town of Shalbourne, England, which is in Wiltshire. He was one of eight children. When William was seven years old, the family migrated to America aboard the ship Bevis. The ship's passenger list includes 4 children in the family and one servant, suggesting they weren't poor. The family settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts, then moved to Rehoboth in 1644 as a founding family of that community.
On October 5, 1651, William married Priscilla Bennett. Priscilla died on October 20, 1663 giving birth to their fourth child. William then married Miriam Searles on December 10, 1663. They had nine children born between 1664 and 1687.
William worked as a carpenter and owned a "long Cross cut saw," but his other profession was as town clerk of Rehoboth, a service he performed for almost 35 years, from 1668 until his death. It is said he was noted for his exceptional handwriting. During his time as clerk, he was a deacon in the church, a deputy to the General Court at Plymouth, an overseer of the highways, a constable, and a magistrate. He was also appointed to settle boundary disputes, and helped to hire a schoolmaster.
Example of William's handwriting in Rehoboth records.
William wrote his will on November 10, 1702 and he died on the following January 26th. His will was proved in April with his estate valued at over £215; among his possessions were several books and a compass for surveying land. He was buried at Newman Cemetery, which is in present-day Rhode Island. Descendants of William include Raquel Welch and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Children by Priscilla Bennett:
1. John Carpenter — B. 19 Oct 1652, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. Woodstock, Connecticut; M. (1) Rebecca Readaway; (2) Sarah _______
2. William Carpenter — B. 20 Jun 1659, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. 10 Mar 1719, Attleboro, Massachusetts; M. Elizabeth Robinson (1657-?), 8 Apr 1685
3. Priscilla Carpenter — B. 24 Jul 1661, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. after 1744, East Greenwich, Rhode Island; M. Richard Sweet
4. Benjamin Carpenter — B. 20 Oct 1663, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. 18 Apr 1738, Coventry, Connecticut; M. Hannah Strong (1671-1762)
Children by Miriam Searles:
1. Josiah Carpenter — B. 18 Dec 1664, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. 28 Feb 1727; M. Elizabeth Read (1668-1739)
2. Nathaniel Carpenter — B. 12 May 1667, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; M. (1) Rachel Cooper (~1671-1694), 19 Sep 1693, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; (2) Mary Preston (~1674-1706), 17 Nov 1695; (3) Mary (~1675-1712), 8 Jul 1707; (4) Mary Bacon
3. Daniel Carpenter — B. 8 Oct 1669, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; M. (1) Bethiah Bliss (?-1703), 15 Apr 1695; (2) Elizabeth Butterworth (1682-1708), 30 Mar 1704; (3) Margaret Thurston (~1687-1717), 12 Dec 1710; (4) Mary (or Margaret) Hunt (~1698-1719), 15 Oct 1718; (5) Mary
4. Noah Carpenter — B. 28 Mar 1672, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; Apr 1756; M. (1) Sarah Johnson (1677-1726); (2) Ruth Follett (?-1745); (3) Tabithy _______, 29 Nov 1745
5. Miriam Carpenter — B. 16 Oct 1674, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. 21 May 1706; Jonathan Bliss (1666-?), 23 Jun 1691
6. Obidiah Carpenter — B. 12 Mar 1678, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. 25 Oct 1749; M. Deliverance Preston (?-1767), 6 Nov 1703
7. Ephraim Carpenter — B. 25 Apr 1684, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. 20 Apr 1743; M. (1) Hannah Read (~1682-1717), 14 Aug 1704; (2) Martha Ide, 24 Mar 1719
8. Hannah Carpenter — B. 10 Apr 1685, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; M. Jonathan Chaffee, 23 Nov 1703
9. Abigail Carpenter — B. 15 Apr 1687, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; D. 15 Jan 1781; M. Daniel Perrin (1682-?), 12 Nov 1706
Sources:
Representative men and old families of southeastern Massachusetts, J.H. Beers & Co., 1912
A genealogical history of the Rehoboth branch of the Carpenter family in America, Amos Bugbee Carpenter, 1898
Rehoboth Carpenter family (Wikipedia article)
Will and Estate Inventory of William Carpenter, 1702 and 1703
