As new pieces of the puzzle are shared, the more we can discern about their remarkable stories that have made our lives possible. As there are often limits of what we can learn through traditional genealogy due to limited documentation, advances in DNA testing offers us the opportunity to fill in the missing pieces and clarify ambiguities. Since our last post in 2021, the testing of the Y-DNA of a grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) was recently upgraded to the highest level currently available (known as the Big Y-700) with FamilyTreeDNA. Not only does this provide additional clarity to prior test results, this comprehensive test provides greater insight as to the paternal lineage of our Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) as it can be accurately traced back centuries. Moreover, these comprehensive Y-DNA results will continue to be refined and updated as more men are tested (particularly from suspected paternal lines) providing additional clarity to each subsequent generation.
As noted in our previous post (Discovering the father of Asa S. Carpenter), the earliest proven ancestors of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) is Asa S. Carpenter (1808?-1863). To help us prove the lineage of Asa S. Carpenter (1808?-1863), in 2021 a grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) tested his Y-DNA for 111 data points known as markers (STRs). Surprisingly, there were no close matches with Carpenter descendants. Instead, the vast majority of closest matches were descendants of Nicholas Cady who had settled in Watertown (Massachusetts) sometime prior to 1645.[1] A review of the matches reveal that Nicholas Cady’s son Captain Joseph Cady (1666-1742) was the common male ancestor for four of the six closest Y-DNA matches with the grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966). The four matches were a grandson of Raymond E. Cady (1903-1976) who had matched 109 of 111 markers; a grandson of Chauncey Marvin Cady (1854-1925) who matched 66 of 67 markers; a grandson of Benjamin E. Cady (1885-1956) who 105 of 111 markers; and a descendant of Benjamin Johnson Cady (1797-1879) who matched 106 of 111 markers. Matching 107 of 111 markers, a grandson of Albert Henry Rogers (1860-1946) was a descendant of Captain Joseph Cady’s brother James Cady (1655-1690); and a grandson of Morris Stansel Cady (1897-1988) was a descendant of Captain Joseph Cady’s brother Daniel Cady (1659-1736) and had matched 65 of 67 markers.
Copy of portrait of Henry Austin Carpenter passed down to a son of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) and provided by Phyllis Carpenter. Henry Austin Carpenter was Asa S. Carpenter’s son; and Mervin Ray Carpenter was Henry Austin Carpenter’s grandson.
While the terms and identifiers utilized in DNA testing can be confusing, when we look at the information from a traditional genealogy perspective, the results can be easier to understand. Since there is little to no change in the Y-DNA passed down from father to son, the Big Y-700 tests approximately 700 Y-DNA data points known as markers (STRs) and private variants (SNPs). By comparing these Y-DNA data points with the Y-DNA from other males tested at similar levels, men that share a common male ancestor are grouped into paternal family branches known as “Haplogroups” with a unique identifier (numbers & letters) in place of the name of the common male ancestor (which is generally unknown) from which the paternal group descends. While the vast majority of these paternal family branches date back thousands of years, more recent paternal branches continue to be identified as more men are tested at this advanced level. As a result, not only can we analyze the current paternal “Haplogroup” from a match with the grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) descends, more recent “Haplogroups” will continue to be identified as more male descendants are tested. Moreover, the chances of finding matched male descendants can be significantly improved by identifying and testing male descendants from Carpenter families that are suspected to share paternal lines.
Prior to upgrading to the advanced level of testing, a grandson of Henry E. Carpenter (Kit#963109) had his Y-DNA tested through 11 markers and graciously shared his results with us. As expected, this grandson of Henry E. Carpenter (1910-1958) was found to be an exact match (111 of 111 markers) with the grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966). The older brother of Mervin Ray Carpenter, Henry Edison Carpenter was born in Canton (Oklahoma) on February 8, 1910. Thus, the common male ancestor of the grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) and this grandson of Henry E. Carpenter (1910-1958) was confirmed to have been George Thomas Carpenter (1885-1924). Interestingly, the year George Thomas Carpenter was born, 1885, was only 35 years after the most likely date of birth, 1850 CE, that had been estimated based on the Y-DNA test results.
Wedding portrait of 21 year-old George Thomas “Tom” Carpenter and his 15 year-old bride Icy Kansas Dow taken in Oklahoma on or about May 31, 1906. Copy provided by Phyllis Carpenter.
After the testing of the Y-DNA of Mervin Ray Carpenter’s grandson (Kit#947278) was upgraded, the results of the Big Y-700 test identified his most recent identified paternal branch as “Haplogroup I-FTE14223” which is shared with his two closest matches (Kit#B881191 & Kit#?). With a 95% probability, the unknown common male ancestor for Haplogroup I-FTE14223 is currently estimated to have been born sometime between 1354 CE and 1781 CE, with the most likely date of 1606 CE. Since males can father children from their teens to well past their 50s, this wide variance (1354-1781 CE) is due to multiplying this potential range of years by the estimated number of generations that the Y-DNA indicates separates our grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter and the other two matched male descendants in Haplogroup I-FTE14223. Based on the earlier matches with descendants of Nicholas Cady, the common males ancestor of Haplogroup I-FTE14223 was most likely born in the New England colonies sometime between 1650 and 1781.
Y-DNA Time Tree for Haplogroup I-FTE14223 (highlighted in orange-lower left). Including our grandson of Mervin Carpenter and two other matches, Haplogroup I-FTE14223 branched of from Haplogroup I-BY138982.
One of the male descendants (Kit#B881191) matched in Haplogroup I-FTE14223 was a grandson of Conan Cady (1913-1974). Matching 109 of 111 markers with our grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter, the Big Y-700 revealed that this ancestor had 17 non-matching variants identified (Y14121, Y103593, BY28751, BY28752, BY29707, BY28974, BY127846, 21699611, FGC87884, 3359952, 5963982, 13727934, 3351819, 7884569, 9563245, 16081049, 26596910) with a difference of 3 of 682 STRs. Born in Bethel Springs Tennessee in 1913, Conan Cady (1913-1974) was reported to have been a son of Asher Foster Cady (1871-1940), and grandson of Ephraim Cady (1835-1913). Born in New York, Ephraim Cady (1835-1913) was reported to be a son of George Cady who had been born in Chatham (New York) on November 11, 1811; and to have died in Huron (Wayne County, New York) in 1880. George Cady (1811-1880) was reported to be a son of Ebenezer Jackson Cady, who was reported to have been born in East Chatham (New York) on September 2, 1779; where he died on February 1, 1844.
Portraits of Conan Cady’s father Asher Foster Cady (1871-1940) shared on Ancestry.com.
According to the research compiled by Orrin Peer Allen (1833-1918), Ebenezer Jackson Cady was a son of Elijah Cady (1747-1833) and Isabel Jackson (1747-?).[2] Born in Coventry (Connecticut) on March 8, 1747; Elijah Cady (1747-1833) was a son of Ebenezer Cady (1714-1779) and Prudence Palmer (1719-); and he died in Canaan (New York) on August 10, 1833.[3] Born in Caterbury (Connecticut) on April 19, 1714; Ebenezer Cady was a son of Sergeant John Cady (abt1680-1751) and his wife Elizabeth; and he died in Canaan (Columbia County, New York) on May 16, 1779.[4] Born about 1680 in Watertown (Massachusetts), Sergeant John Cady was most likely a son of James Cady (1655-1690) and Hannah Barron (1658-?); and he died (Windsor?, Connecticut) on September 6, 1751.[5] Born in Watertown (Massachusetts) on August 28, 1655; James Cady was a son of Nicholas Cady and Judith Knapp; and he died in Groton (Massachusetts) on December 2, 1690. While it is not known when he was born or died, Nicholas Cady is believed to have been born in Suffolk County (England) and most probably arrived in Massachusetts in 1630 as an apprentice of his future father-in-law William Knapp.[6]
As noted in our previous post (Discovering the father of Asa S. Carpenter), the closest descendant (matching 109 of 111 markers) with the grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) was a grandson of Raymond E. Cady (1903-1976). Born in Jennings County (Indiana) on August 6, 1903, Raymond E. Cady was reported to be a son of Chester Cady (1874-1930), grandson of David Nudd Cady (1842-1910), and great-grandson of Samuel Cady (1818-1914). Samuel Cady (1818-1914) was reported to have been a son of Reverend Samuel Cady, who was reported to have been born in New York on January 1, 1780; and reported to have died in Ripley County (Indiana) on April 18, 1851. Reverend Samuel Cady (1780-1851) was reported to have been born the son of Elijah Cady Jr, who was reported to have been born in Plainfield (Windham County, Connecticut) on November 17, 1747; and to have died in Steuben County (New York) in 1834. Elijah Cady Jr (1747-1834) was reported to be a son of Elijah Cady Sr, who was born in Scituate (Rhode Island) on June 20, 1720; and to have died in Cornish (New Hampshire) on October 12, 1812. Elijah Cady Sr (1720-1812) was reported to be the son of William Cady, who was reportedly born in Groton (Massachusetts) in 1692; and to have died in Connecticut in 1735. William Cady (1692-1735) was reported to be the son of Joseph Cady, who was reportedly born in Watertown (Connecticut) on May 26, 1666; and to have died in Killingly (Connecticut) on December 29, 1742. Joseph Cady (1666-1742) was reported to have been born in England in 1627; and to have died in Groton (Massachusetts) in 1712.
Portrait of Raymond E. Cady’s father Chester J. Cady (1874-1930) shared on Ancestry.com
Assuming the lineage shared by grandson of Raymond E. Cady (1903-1976) has been proven, this identifies Elijah Cady Jr (1747-1833) as the common male ancestor with grandson of Conan Cady (1913-1974). Fortunately, Elijah Cady Jr (1747-1833) provided a detailed application for a pension due to his service in the militia during the Revolutionary War in which he confirmed that he was born in “the town of Coventry in the State of Connecticut on the 8th day of March in the year 1747.” Elijah Cady Jr (1747-1833) added that when “he was seven years age…his father moved to the town of Oblong in Dutchess County in the State of New York” where he lived “till 1762 when his father moved to Canaan” in Columbia County, New York. During the Revolutionary War, Elijah Cady Jr (1747-1833) had enlisted in 1775 as a private in Captain Ebenezer Cady’s Company of militia as part of Colonel William Whiting’s Regiment (serving 5 weeks) in Albany and Fort Edward; received a commission as Ensign and was called out in July of 1776 serving another 4 months in detachment of Major Hois of Kinderhook; an additional 4 months in 1777, two more weeks in 1778, two additional weeks in the summer of 1778, and another month in the fall of 1780 (all under the same officers). One of the supporting affidavits was provided by Elijah Cady Jr’s son Ebenezer Cady.[7]
Since the common male ancestor is currently estimated to have been born sometime between 1354 CE and 1781 CE, this would indicate the common male ancestor with our grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter and this grandson of Conan Cady (1913-1974) could potentially have been Ebenezer Jackson Cady (1779-1844), Elijah Cady (1747-1833), Ebenezer Cady (1714-1779), Sergeant John Cady (abt1680-1751), James Cady (1655-1690), or Nicholas Cady. Since Elijah Cady (1747-1833) was likewise listed in the lineage shared by the grandson of Raymond E. Cady (1903-1976), there would appear to be a compelling case for Elijah Cady (1747-1833) having been the common male ancestor with our grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter. Considering the disruption found during the build-up and fighting of the Revolutionary War, there certainly would have been higher than normal opportunity for an undocumented adoption or some kind of infidelity to have taken place during this time frame.
The other male descendant matched in Haplogroup I-FTE14223 with our grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (Kit#947278) was a grandson of Guy Burnett (Kit#?). Without sharing his lineage past his grandfather, the earliest known male ancestor for this grandson of Guy Burnett was reported to be Joseph J. Burnett. Listing question marks as to the dates his grandfather was born, his grandson was only able to share that Guy Burnett was born in Kansas, died in Saline County (Kansas), and his grandmother was Ada Neil Jenkins. Matching 106 of 111 markers with our grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (Kit#947278), the Big Y-700 revealed that this grandson of Guy Burnett had 10 non-matching variants identified (Y103593, BY127846, FT258841, 5946830, 14309211, 3351819, 7884569, 9563245, 16081049, 26596910) with a difference of 3 of 669 STRs. Curiously, all of the ten non-matching variants were also listed in the 17 non-matching variants reported for the grandson of Conan Cady (1913-1974).
Well sourced research shared on Ancestry.com reported Guy Elsworth Burnett had been born in Louisville (Kansas) on September 26, 1892; married Ada “Nellie” Jenkins (1895-1946) about 1913; and died in Salina (Saline County, Kansas) in April 1982. The parents of Guy Burnett (1892-1982) were Stephen Jasper Burnett (1863-1949) and Sarah J. Taylor (1872-1900). Unfortunately, the names of the parents of Stephen J. Burnett were not provided in his obituary.[8] After the death of his father, Stephen J. Burnett’s mother Sarah Ann Burnett married Joseph Holloway (both of Pottawatomie County) in Pottawatomie County (Kansas) on February 24, 1866;[9] and the 7 year-old Stephen J. Burnett was living with his three older sisters (14 year-old Mary E. Burnett, 11 year-old Martha J. Burnett & 9 year-old Celelia A. Burnett) with the large blended family in St. Mary’s Township (Louisville Post Office) of Pottawatomie County (Kansas) in 1870.
Copy of a portrait of Stephen J. Burnett that was “passed down through family” and shared on Ancestry.com (no dates were provided).
Unfortunately, the documentation of Stephen J. Burnett and his family prior to his mother’s marriage to Joseph Holloway (1819-1875) in 1866 becomes far more difficult to piece together. By 1880, his mother has married John Coffrin (1841-1918) and the 16 year-old Stephen J. Burnet has been bound out to the family of a 34 year-old farmer named Perris M. Jackson, living in Center Township of Pottawatomie County (Kansas); and with the birthplace of both Stephen J. Burnet’s parents left blank. Interestingly, when Steven Burnett marries his second wife (Emma Hause) in 1905, the published marriage announcement states he was the son of Mrs. Sarah Wade; which appears to have been her maiden last name.[10] While several family trees report Stephen J. Burnett’s parents were Jeremiah “Jerry” Burnett (1832-1863) and Sarah Ann Wade (1836-?), the documentation cited provides conflicting information. This includes a citation of probate filed (September 8, 1859) for the deceased Jeremiah Burnett (died without a will) in Johnson County (Missouri) almost four years before Stephen J. Burnett was born (November 4, 1864).[11]
Assuming his mother had passed down that Stephen J. Burnett’s father was Jeremiah “Jerry” Burnett, it was interesting to find there was an 18 year-old Jeremiah M. Barnett/Burnett enlisted in Company G of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry that was reported to have been engaged at Jacksonport (Arkansas) on January 19, 1864; stationed at Devall’s Bluff (Arkansas) on May 30, 1864; reported missing in action at Jones Station (Arkansas) on August 24, 1864; and then reported to been killed while he was held as a prisoner or war by the Confederates. Born in Fulton County (Arkansas), Jeremiah M. Barnett/Burnett was 5′ 5″ tall with a muddy complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He had enlisted at Batesville (Arkansas) for 3 years on January 25, 1864[12] Although his age suggests he was too young to be Stephen J. Burnett’s father, Sarah Ann Wade’s 18 year-old brother Alfred F. Wade enlisted in Company H (transferred from Company B) of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry in Brownsville (Arkansas) on February 29, 1864.[13] Jeremiah M. Barnett/Burnett and Alfred F. Wade appear to have been new recruits to supplement the veterans of the 1st Nebraska Infantry from which the 1st Nebraska Cavalry re-organized on October 11, 1863. The 1st Nebraska Infantry had originally been mustered into service at Omaha (Nebraska Territory) between June 11 to July 21, 1861.[14] Coincidently, there was a John Beard that had enlisted in Company H of the 1st Nebraska Infantry in 1861 who then served in Company B of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry.[15] According the research shared on Ancestry.com, some believe that Sarah Ann Wade had married a Jeremiah Beard and was living in Polk County (Missouri) with their two daughters (4 year-old Mary & 1 year-old Martha) in 1860.
Image on the left was cropped from a family photo of Stephen J. Burnett’s daughter Gertrude “Gertie” Burnett (1899-1975) shared on Ancestry.com. The image on the right has been slightly enhanced to regain some of the contrast and detail. Gertie Burnett is reported to have married Cyrus Minton Parsley (1894-1963); and to have died in Oregon.
Located on the border of Missouri, Fulton County (Arkansas) had been organized from the northern section of Izard County (Arkansas) on December 21, 1842. According to research shared on Ancestry.com, the 13 year-old Sarah Ann Wade and her 5 year-old brother Alfred F. Wade were living with their parents (Alfred H. Wade) in Taney County (Missouri) in 1850. Taney County (Missouri) is located on the border with Arkansas, just west of Fulton County (Arkansas). According to the 1850 Federal Census, there was a 7 year-old Jerennah Barnet (born in Arkansas) and a 15 year-old James M. Barnet living with the the family of 62 year-old Fongus S. Morejon in nearby Independence County (Arkansas); and a 6 year-old Jeremiah Barnett (born in Arkansas) living with the family of 39 year-old Mark F. Stout in nearby Lawrence County (Arkansas). Unfortunately, even assuming Stephen J. Burnett mother had passed down that his grandfather was Joseph J. Burnett; more information is needed to narrow the number of possibilities.
With the lack of clear resolution as to the identity of Stephen J. Burnett’s father, the records of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry did include one descendant of Nicolas Cady. On June 18, 1861, 25 year-old Rufus P. Cady enlisted as a Corporal in Company E of the 1st Nebraska Infantry in Omaha City (Nebraska); prior to reenlisting as a private in Company E of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry on January 1, 1864. Born in Grafton County (New Hampshire), Rufus P. Cady was 5′ 11½” tall with a dark complexion, gray eyes, and brown hair.[16] Well sourced research shared on Ancestry.com reported Rufus Pratt Cady was born in August 1837; and his parents were Roswell L. Cady (1799-1878) and Zipha Smith (1809-1875). Born about 1799 in Rutland County (Vermont), Roswell L. Cady was listed as the son of Timothy Cady (1768-1850) and Dolly Sherwin (1775-1866). Born in Killingly (Windham County, Connecticut) on July 10, 1768; Timothy Cady was listed as the son of Barachiah Cady (1734-1807), grandson of Ephraim Cady (1704-1795), great-grandson of Daniel Cady (1682-1736), 2nd great-grandson of James Cady (1655-1690), and 3rd great-grandson of Nicholas Cady (1627-1712).
Portrait of Rufus P. Cady’s daughter Maude Caroline Cady (1879-1953) that was shared on Ancestry.com. She was reported to have married William Lewis Miller in Spokane (Washington) in 1900; and to have died in Beaverton, Oregon.
Coincidently, there were two Carpenter brothers identified from the records of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry that were intriguing (others are listed in research notes below). On September 7, 1861, an 18 year-old Thomas J. Carpenter enlisted as a private in Company K of the 1st Nebraska Infantry in Pilot Knob (Missouri); deserted in 1862 and returned to service in 1863; reenlisting in in Company K of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry on January 1, 1864. Born in New Madrid (Missouri), Thomas J. Carpenter was 5′ 5″ tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair.[17] In that same day (September 7, 1861), the 31 year-old William H. Carpenter enlisted as a private in Company K of the 1st Nebraska Infantry in Pilot Knob (Missouri); promoted to Corporal; deserted in 1862 and captured by Confederates at Van Buren (Missouri) on December 26, 1862; and paroled as Prisoner of War in Little Rock on January 30, 1863. Born in Franklin (Ohio), William H. Carpenter was 5′ 8″ tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair.[18] Research shared on Ancestry.com reported William H. Carpenter (1830-1868) and his brother Thomas J. Carpenter (1843-1905) were sons of Thomas Carpenter (1796-?) and his wife Sarah Ransburg (1804-?). In 1850, the 53 year-old Thomas Carpenter (born in New Hampshire) was a millwright living with his family in Lewis County (Missouri) which included his 20 year-old son William H. Carpenter (born in Ohio) and 7 year-old Thomas J. Carpenter (born in Missouri). Unfortunately, no male descendants of this Thomas Carpenter and his wife Sarah are known to have been have their Y-DNA tested with FamilyTreeDNA.
Copy of a family portrait of Thomas Jefferson Carpenter’s daughter Jessie Alice Carpenter (center) shared on Ancestry.com by Lynne Santos.
In that same year (1850), the 42 year-old Asa S. Carpenter similarly working as wheelwright in Charleston Township of Penobscot County (Maine); and although he was reported to have been born in Vermont, he would report having been born in New Hampshire in the 1860 Census. Living along with Asa S. Carpenter in 1850 was his 44 year-old wife Susan W. Carpenter, his 17 year-old son William A. Carpenter, his 15 year-old daughter Zelern (?) Carpenter, his 14 year-old daughter Hannah Carpenter, his 11 year-old son Ezran Carpenter, his 8 year-old son Henry A. Carpenter, his 6 year-old son Charles B. Carpenter, and his 6 year-old daughter Susannah C. Carpenter. Following the Civil War, Henry A. Carpenter was married to Francis Ewing by the Justice of the Peace in Linn County (Missouri) on November 13, 1867;[19] and in 1870 the 28 year-old Henry Carpenter and his 20 year-old wife Fanny Carpenter were living with his 19 year-old brother Orman Carpenter and his 31 year-old brother Ezra Carpenter in Grant Township (Stewartsville Post Office) of DeKalb County, Missouri.
Portrait of Henry Austin Carpenter’s daughter Abbie Carpenter, who married Louis Hedges (1873-1960) prior to 1900.[20] The image on the left is the original image shared on Ancestry.com by Marni Phillips; and the image on the right has been slightly enhanced to restore some of the detail and contrast.
Since working as a wheelwright was a trade often learned from a father or another close relative, a review of 1850 Federal Census revealed there was a 41 year-old Lewis Carpenter (born in New Hampshire) working as a wheelwright and living with his family in Cheshire County (New Hampshire). Moreover, by 1870 the 71 year-old Lewis Carpenter had moved his family nearly 1,400 miles west to Clinton County (Missouri). Located in northwestern Missouri, Clinton County shares its northern border with Dekalb County (Missouri) with settlement of Stewartsville on the Dekalb/Clinton border. Research shared on Ancestry.com reported Lewis Carpenter was born in Cheshire County (New Hampshire) on June 25, 1808; and his parents were Charles Carpenter (1761-1845) and Sarah Thompson (1762-1849). Unfortunately, no documentation proving Lewis Carpenter was the son of Charles Carpenter (1761-1845) was cited.
Sketch depicting two wheelwrights at work published on page 161 of the Book of Trades published for Richard Griffin and Co in 1835 (Library of Congress).
While no direct descendants of this Lewis Carpenter (1808-1883) are known to have been have their Y-DNA tested with FamilyTreeDNA, a male descendant (Kit#63168) of John Wesley Carpenter (1832-1895) has been tested for 25 markers. A grandson of Ernest Victor Carpenter, this descendant (Kit#63168) was a match with Group 3 (Rehoboth Carpenters) in the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project. Since the father of John Wesley Carpenter (1832-1895) was unproven through traditional genealogy, utilizing the Y-DNA results the lineage of the grandson of Ernest Victor Carpenter (Kit#63168) was determined to have traced through Jedediah Carpenter (1732-1815) and his father Charles Carpenter (1702-1743). As Jedediah Carpenter (1742-1816) was the father of Charles Carpenter (1761-1845),[21] the inference was that if a direct descendant of Lewis Carpenter (1808-1883) had his Y-DNA tested he would most likely have been a close match to the grandson of Ernest Victor Carpenter (Kit#63168). Additional Y-DNA testing should prove this inference correct, unless there was an undocumented adoption or some type of infidelity (as indicated in our Cady matches).
- If you have a picture of direct descendants of Lewis Carpenter (1808-1883), please contact us (particularly if the resolution has sufficient detail).
As noted in our previous post, research notes shared by Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project indicate Asa S. Carpenter was believed to have been born about 1808 in Springfield (Sullivan County, New Hampshire); and his parents thought to have been Comfort Carpenter and Cartert Collins (1769-1847). Comfort Carpenter was believed to have been born sometime between 1770-1780 in Cheshire County (New Hampshire); and his other children have been reported to be Moses Collin Carpenter (1792-1858), Timothy C. Carpenter (1794-1832), Chester C. Carpenter (1796-1830), Lavinia Carpenter (1799-1836), Jonathan Carpenter (1803-?), and Charles W. Carpenter (1805-1870+). However, supporting documentation has only confirm that Moses Collin Carpenter and Charles W. Carpenter were sons of Comfort Carpenter and Cartert Collins. Specifically, Moses Collins Carpenter was born in Salisbury (New Hampshire) on May 17, 1792 (the same day his parents were married); and his parents were Cumfort Carpenter and Cartaret Collins.[22] In December 1866, the 61 year-old Charles W. Carpenter was married to 44 year-old Mrs. Susan Anderson in Greenwich, Massachusetts. Born in Springfield (New Hampshire), this was Charles W. Carpenter’s second wife, he was “by occupation a Mill Wright“, and he “was the son of Comfort and Carterett Carpenter.” Born in Hardwick (Massachusetts?), this was Mrs. Susan Anderson’s “3rd marriage” (indicating she had been widowed) and she was “the Daughter of Philip and Laura Grant.“[23]
- If you have a picture of direct descendants of Chester C. Carpenter (1796-1830), Lavinia Carpenter (1799-1836), or Jonathan Carpenter (1803-?); please contact us (particularly if the resolution has sufficient detail).
Remarkably, our review of Federal Census records for wheelwrights with the surname of Carpenter born in New Hampshire revealed another intriguing possibility. In 1850, a 25 year-old Moses Carpenter and his 30 year-old brother Calvin D. Carpenter were both in Hew Hampshire and working as wheelwrights while living with the family of 55 year-old Abner G. Gutterson (a wheelwright) in Manchester City (Hillsborough County, New Hampshire). New Hampshire birth records document that Moses Carpenter and Calvin D. Carpenter were both sons of Timothy C. Carpenter and his wife Olive.[24] At the time of his marriage (November 4, 1850) to an 18 year-old Jane Adams of Lowell (Massachusetts) in Lowell (Massachusetts), the 24 year-old Moses Carpenter of Manchester (New Hampshire) reported that he was a wheelwright born in Chelmsford (Massachusetts?); and his parents were Timothy and Olive Carpenter (Jane Adams was born in Canada, & her parents were David & Ann Adams).[25] Although no additional information was listed, Timothy C. Carpenter married Olive Dunbar in Grantham (New Hampshire) on August 8, 1819.[26] Although no documentation was noted, research notes shared by Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project identify this Timothy C. Carpenter is believed to have been the older of our Asa S. Carpenter. Unfortunately, no male descendants of this Timothy C. Carpenter are known to have been have their Y-DNA tested with FamilyTreeDNA.
- If you have a picture of direct descendants of Timothy C. Carpenter (1794-1832), please contact us (particularly if the resolution has sufficient detail).
The only other wheelwright born in Hew Hampshire with the surname of Carpenter identified in our limited review was the 83 year-old Benjamin Carpenter (born in New Hampshire) was a wheelwright living Waterboro Township in York County (Maine) with his 82 year-old wife Hannah Carpenter (born in New Hampshire) in 1850. Living in the next household (#389) was the 44 year-old Elias Carpenter, a blacksmith born in Maine, with his 42 year-old wife Ruth Carpenter (born in Maine). Living in the next household (#390) was the 36 year-old Benjamin Carpenter, a shoemaker born in Maine, with his 37 year-old wife Comfort Carpenter (born in New Hampshire) and their six children (Samuel-14, Jacob A.-12, Tamson-8, Edith-6, Alonzo-4, & Harriet-3).
According to research notes shared by Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project, this Benjamin Carpenter was born in Waterboro (Maine) in 1767; he married Hannah Lathers in Barrington (New Hampshire) on June 17, 1787; and their children were listed as Samuel Carpenter (1787-?), Abigail Carpenter (1789-?), Thomas Carpenter (abt1790-?), John Carpenter (1791-?), Mittam Carpenter (abt1792-?), Nancy Carpenter (1793-?), and Isaac Carpenter (1796-?). While the parents of this Benjamin Carpenter (1767-aft1850) were unknown, an administrators with the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project confirmed there had been another Benjamin Carpenter born (March 5, 1761) in New Hampshire (Somerset, Strafford County) that was a son of Nicholas Carpenter (1739-1822) and Miriam Davis (1739-1825); and died in North Waterboro (York County, Maine) on November 13, 1829. Although there is a notable difference in the dates of birth, Carpenter Cousins’ believe the 44 year-old Elias Carpenter (blacksmith) and 36 year-old Benjamin Carpenter (shoemaker) were reported to be sons of the Benjamin Carpenter (1761-1829); and thus, they were determined by Carpenter Cousins not to be sons of their 83 year-old neighbor Benjamin Carpenter and his wife Hannah Lathers. In addition, no male descendants of this Benjamin Carpenter (1767-1850+) and his wife Hannah Lathers are known to have been have their Y-DNA tested with FamilyTreeDNA.
- If you have a picture of direct descendants of Benjamin Carpenter (1767-1850+), please contact us (particularly if the resolution has sufficient detail).
Although we have yet to prove the paternal lineage of Asa S. Carpenter (1808?-1863), the results of the Big Y-DNA testing has confirmed there most likely was an adoption, or some form of infidelity, involving a male descendant of Nicolas Cady sometime between 1650-1781. At this time, it appears that the best candidates for our unknown Cady ancestor are Elijah Cady (1747-1833) or Captain Joseph Cady (1666-1742). Exploring the Y-DNA matches with the descendant of Stephen J. Burnett (1863-1949) revealed potential links to Rufus P. Cady (1837-1913), along with several Carpenter families that had moved from NewHampshire/Maine to northern Missouri. The review of potentially related Carpenter families revealed the trade of a wheelwright likely had been passed down to Asa S. Carpenter (1808?-1863), providing additional insight into the story of his ancestors. In addition, several Carpenter families have been identified that could provide additional clarity to our Carpenter lineage (and theirs) if male descendants of these families have their Y-DNA tested. As more Y-DNA test results will continue to provide additional clarity to our ancestry, we continue to sift through the available information to determine how the pieces of this puzzle fit together.
If you have any corrections or can provide any additional information, please contact us, and/or post a reply at the end of the post.
God Bless!
Additional Research Notes
On September 26, 1861, 22 year-old John J. Carpenter enlisted as a private in Company G of the 1st Nebraska Infantry in Syracuse (Missouri); prior to reenlisting in St Louis (Missouri) as a Corporal in Company G of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry on November 19, 1863. On September 26, 1864, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Company A, 45th Missouri Infantry. Born in Missouri, John J. Carpenter was 6′ 1″ tall with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and black hair.[27] On that same day (September 26, 1861), 26 year-old William W. Carpenter enlisted as a private in Company G of the 1st Nebraska Infantry in Syracuse (Morgan County, Missouri); prior to reenlisting in St Louis (Missouri) in Company G (promoted to Corporal) of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry on November 19, 1863. Born in Kentucky, William W. Carpenter was 5′ 10″ tall with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair.[28]
In 1860, 21 year-old John Carpenter (born in Missouri) was living with his 43 year-old father Thomas Carpenter (born in Kentucky) in household #748 of Mill Creek Township (Syracuse Post Office) in Morgan County, Missouri. In 1850, 33 year-old Thomas Carpenter (born in Kentucky) and his family (including his 11 year-old son John J. Carpenter) were living in household #324 in Richland Township of Morgan County, Missouri. Living in the previous household (#323) was the family of 29 year-old John J. Carpenter (born in Kentucky), which including his 11 year-old son John J. Carpenter (born in Missouri). Living in the previous household (#322) was the family of 60 year-old John Carpenter (born in North Carolina), which including his 25 year-old son James Carpenter (born in Kentucky). Well sourced research shared on Ancestry.com reported John Jackson Carpenter was born on February 13, 1839; and his parents were Thomas Carpenter (1817-1883) and Jeanet Shanklin (1805-1862). Born in Todd (Kentucky) on April 11, 1817; Thomas Carpenter (1817-1883) was reported to be the son of John Carpenter (1790-1878), grandson of Christian Carpenter (1760-1822), great-grandson of Peter Zimmerman Carpenter (1736-1817), and 2nd great-grandson of Hans Ulrich Zimmerman Carpenter (1702-1794).
On January 15, 1864, 18 year-old John W. Carpenter enlisted as a private Company G of the 1st Nebraska Cavalry in Brownsville (Arkansas). Born in Overton County (Tennessee), John W. Carpenter was 5′ 6″ tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair.[29] Well sourced research shared on Ancestry.com reported William W. Carpenter was born in Madison County (Kentucky) on June 11, 1935; and his parents were Fielding Carpenter (1808-1880) and Nancy Watson (1807-1867).
[1] Descendants of Nicholas Cady of Watertown, Mass. (1645-1910) compiled by Orrin Peer Allen, Page 13.
[2] Descendants of Nicholas Cady of Watertown, Mass. (1645-1910) compiled by Orrin Peer Allen, Pages 93 & 176.
[3] Descendants of Nicholas Cady of Watertown, Mass. (1645-1910) compiled by Orrin Peer Allen, Pages 49 & 93.
[4] Descendants of Nicholas Cady of Watertown, Mass. (1645-1910) compiled by Orrin Peer Allen, Pages 29 & 49.
[5] Descendants of Nicholas Cady of Watertown, Mass. (1645-1910) compiled by Orrin Peer Allen, Pages 19-20 & 29.
[6] Descendants of Nicholas Cady of Watertown, Mass. (1645-1910) compiled by Orrin Peer Allen, Pages 18-20.
[7] Revolutionary War Pension Application of Elijah Cady #S9149.
[8] Obituary of Stephen J. Burnett published on page 10 of The Manhattan Mercury (Manhattan, Kansas) on October 27, 1849.
[9] Pottawatomie County (Kansas) Marriage Record (1856-1878), Page 79.
[10] “Burnett-Hause” Marriage announcement published on page 4 of the Westmoreland Recorder on February 2, 1905.
[11] Johnson County (Missouri) Will Records/Volume B-D (1840-1867), Page 153.
[12] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for Jeremiah M. Barnett (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
[13] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for Alfred F. Wade (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
[14] Union Nebraska Territory Volunteers – 1st Regiment Nebraska Cavalry (National Parks Service).
[15] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for John Beard (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
[16] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for Rufus P. Cady (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94)
[17] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for Thomas J. Carpenter (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
[18] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for William H. Carpenter (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
[19] Linn County (Missouri) Marriage Records (1857-1896), Page 199.
[20] Montana Certificate of Death for Abbie Hedges dated January 31, 1965.
[21] A genealogical history of the Rehoboth branch of the Carpenter family in America compiled by Amos B. Carpenter, Pages 134 & 251–252.
[22] New Hampshire Birth Index Card for Moses Collins Carpenter; New Hampshire Marriage Index Card for Cumfort Carpenter and Cartaret Collins.
[23] Massachusetts Vital Records: Greenwich (1741-1895) compiled by Jay Mack Halbrook, Page 174.
[24] New Hampshire Birth Record for Calvin Dunbar Carpenter; New Hampshire Birth Record for Moses Carpenter.
[25] Middlesex County (Massachusetts) Marriages Registered in the City of Lowell (1850), Page 28.
[26] New Hampshire Marriage Index Card for Timothy C. Carpenter and Olive Dunbar.
Additional Research Footnotes:
[27] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for John J. Carpenter (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
[28] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for William W. Carpenter (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
[29] Nebraska Union Civil War Service Cards for John W. Carpenter (National Archives: NARA ID#300398, Publication M1787, Record Group 94).
Wilson Family Tree Album Blog 
A very good read! Thank you!
LikeLike