Giles Carter, of Turkey Island

Giles Carter

• Born about 1634 in England
• perhaps the son of Theodor Carter of Circencester in Gloucestershire
• Husband of 1) Hannah Rowen 2) Hannah Sewell
• Father of Mary (Carter) Davis, Susannah (Carter) Price, Anne (Carter) Davis, Theodorick Carter, and Giles Carter Jr.
• Died before 2 Feb 1702 in Varina Parish, Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

Immigrated to Virginia

Our first record of Giles in Virginia was in 1653 when William Fry received a patent of 750 acres on April 07, 1653:

Mr. William Fry, 750 acres near the head of Chichamony River on SW side thereof, 7 April 1653. Beg. at Fleets quarter including a small indian field, for transporting 15 persons: Giles Carter, Ralph Spendlowe, Jane Walker, Miles Noble, Anne Williams, William Brooke, Ralph Burton, Andrew Miller, Alice Archer, the said Fry's wife and his three children, Dorothy Miller, William Hoccadie (?Hockaday).[6]
Note: the other Giles Carter sailed in 1620 aboard the Supply, chartered by the Berkeley Hundred Colony (and returned to England)

Family

His wife and surviving widow was Hannah

Children named in Giles' 1699 will were:

• Theodorick
• Susannah, wife of Thos. WILLIAMSON. Susannah was previously married to Daniel PRICE.]
• Mary, wife of Thomas DAVIS
• Ann, wife of James DAVIS
• Giles, under 18 years old

The Y DNA test results for Descendants of Theodrick & Giles Jr. do not match.

Sources

• Page 42 of Giles Carter of Virginia: genealogical memoir by William Giles Harding Carter Author Carter, William H. (William Harding), 1851-1925

WILL OF GILES CARTER

In the name of God, Amen, I Giles Carter, Sr., being of a weak and infirmed body, yet (blessed by God) of a sound and perfect memory, and considering the frailty and uncertainty of man’s life, and not knowing the time of my departure of life;

I do make, constitute, and appoint this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made whatsoever. Imprimis, I commend my soul into the hands of my Blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ, relying only upon his merits for salvation. My body I commit to the earth to be decently therein interred and for what worldly goods and possessions God hath bestowed upon me, it is my will and desire they may be disposed of in form and manner following:

I give and bequeath to my son Theodorick Carter five shilling sterling to be paid by my dear wife Hannah either in silver or to the full value thereof as to her shall seem most convenient.

Item. I give to my daughter Susanna, now Wife of Thomas Williamson, five shilling sterling to be paid as above said.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, now Wife of Thomas Davis, five shilling sterling to be paid as above said.

Item. I give to my daughter Ann, now the wife of James Davis, one feather bed and bolster, one rug, one blanket, and one cow.

Item. I give to my son Giles one mare called Nanny with her increase forever, it being a mare formerly given to him by William Sewell, she then being but a filly.

These legatees being paid and also any debts however shall be lawfully by me indebted being fully satisfied, it is my will and desire that what of my estate shall remain (one feather bed and furniture only excepted for my wife Hannah which I give unto her), may be equally divided to five parts, the one part whereof to belong to my wife Hannah, the other to my son Giles, it not being my intent or design in any way to hereby disannul or make void a deed of gift formerly by me made to my son Giles and entered upon record. But, I do by this, my last will and testament, reaffirm and confirm the same.

Item. It is my will and design that what estate shall appertain to my son Giles that he may retain the land where he shall arrive on by age of eighteen years and also enjoy the benefit of his labor. My wife Hannah not being any wise molested or disturbed upon the plantation we now live upon during her life.

and lastly, I make constitute and appoint my dear and loving wife Hannah full and sole executor of this my last will and testament, the which I own to be my last, all others being hereby disannulled and made void. As witness my hand and seal this 14th day of December 1699.

Giles (seal of red wax) Carter. Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of us: Thomas Smythes, William Sewell, James Davis. Henrico Co., February 2, 1701

Proved in open court by the oaths of the subscribed witnesses to be the last will and testament of the subscribed Giles Carter.

James Cocke, County Clerk. (Henrico Co., Virginia, Records, p. 256)

December 10, 1701. John Cocke sold 550 acres to Thomas Williamson. The land was described as a parcel sold to Cocke by Giles Carter, Sr.

1702

February 2, 1702. Hannah Carter granted probate of the will of her husband Giles Carter. (Henrico Co., Virginia, Records, p. 279)

Origins and notes

From https://www.vikingsandvirginians.com/2012/01/05/giles-carter-1634-1...

[WHB, Seoul, 2015: I’m currently persuaded that Giles Carter and Elizabeth Tracy did not have descendants, and am an agnostic as to whom of whether Giles Carter of Henrico County’s wife was a Crewes, a Sewall, an American Indian or any of the other extant theories.]

Baptism Record

Gises Carter in the Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813

• Name: Gises Carter [Gyles Carter]
• Event Type: Baptism
• Baptism Date: 24 Apr 1635
• Baptism Place: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England
• Phillimore Ecclesiastical Parish Map: View this parish
• Father: Theodor Carter
• Source Citation Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucestershire, England; Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers; Reference Number: P86/1 IN 1/1
• Source Information Ancestry.com. Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. AncestryImage

Comment:

Note the Gises is mistranscribed in Gyles Carter's Baptism record the descender or the Y is vary faint on my image leading others to believe it is an i . Old style dating was used too. The legal year 1635 started Mar 25 (Lady Day) I have:

The 24th day Gyles fillino Theodor Cartor this is 6 lines down on the page under April the date at the top of the page is 1635 *fillino is latin which indicates Father. And yes though this is not proven to be the father of Giles Carter of Henrico It is highly likely. Theodor also appears in the burial records when Giles was age 9 leaving him an orphan. Giles as an orphan would likely have to be indentured to travel to Va. The naming pattern of oldest son named after father may have been used in this case. This record was in Cirencester, Gloustershire, England.

——-

The parentage of Giles and Hannah CARTER has become a target for urban myth -- that Giles descends from Giles CARTER, Esq. and Lady Elizabeth TRACY, that Hannah was a daughter of James CREWES, and that they had more children than the five listed in Giles' will.

My "funny paper file" contains three variations of Giles' genealogy, all of them leading to miscellaneous royal roots and other persons with well-known historical names.

GILES CARTER OF VIRGINIA, Gen. W. G. H. Carter, p 102 & 103

"It has not been discovered who were the parents of Giles CARTER who was born in 1634. None of the lists of passengers, except that of the Supply in 1620, contains the name of Giles CARTER, nor does it appear on any of the fragmentary census records of those living in Virginia during the early colonial period. It appears quite certain that he was descended from the Gloucestershire branch of Carters, and that possibly the record of his birth and parentage may yet be discovered."

This Giles CARTER's will listed only his wife, three daughters, and sons Theodrick and Giles. Those two sons were the only CARTERs with whom Giles had transactions during his lifetime. It would be safe to conclude that he did not have a son William or Thomas or John, who are listed by some researchers.

I believe that the CARTER families in Virginia who had sons named Giles might have been remotely related to my Giles, who came from Gloucestershire in England. which was the only place where the CARTER family used the given name Giles. It seems reasonable that a preference for that name would come across the ocean with them.

Van A. STILLEY's ancestor chart lists several later generations of this family.

GILES CARTER I & HANNAH

GILES

PARENTS -- A family tradition is that our Giles CARTER was the son of the Giles CARTER who came to Virginia in 1621 on the ship SUPPLY and returned on the same ship. That Giles CARTER was married to Lady Elizabeth TRACY, and extensive genealogies have been developed, going back to the middle ages and including royal roots. I have three variations of those genealogies. Parish records do not show any children born to Giles and Elizabeth, and I believe that no will has been found.

A more likely theory for the father of Giles is Theodor CARTER who,according to the IGI for parish records of Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, had a son Giles born in 1634 and christened 24 April 1635. That birth date coincides with Giles?s 1680 deposition, in which he declares himself to be 46 years old. Also, our Giles CARTER named his first son Theodrick.

I suspect that Theodor CARTER may have been related in some way to the Giles CARTER who made a trip to Virginia in 1621 and/or to Gyles CARTER, Esq. of Cold Aston; so we may still latch onto some of the medieval folks. The children attributed in the IGI to Theodor are Mary, Giles, Joane, Elizabeth, and Margery.

BIRTH -- Born about 1634, probably in Gloucestershire, England,

IMMIGRATED -- Giles was in Virginis by 1653 - age 19.

MARRIAGE -- Did Giles have a marriage prior to Hannah? I believe that Mary and Susannah may have had a different mother than Hannah.

The 1662 will of John Rowen suggests that Giles may have had children at that time.

The 1676 will of James Crewes implies that Mary and Susannah were young ladies, perhaps about 16 years old; they each received household objects and 10,000 pounds of tobacco ( the interest hereof to be towards clothing). James Crewes' will describes those two girls as "Giles? children", and Theodrick is called "Hannah?s son". Theodorick's bequest was that he would receive one slave after his mother's death. Ann and Giles II were born after the 1676 will.

DEATH -- 1700/1701 in Henrico Co., VA

Giles was literate; he signed his name to documents.

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HANNAH

PARENTS -- Tradition is that Hannah was a daughter of James CREWES. This is based on the extreme generosity of James to the CARTER family in his 1676 will, which is recorded in the notes for James CREWES. In 1680 Crewes' niece and nephew challenged the will, declaring that Crewes died leaving neither a widow nor lawful children. The challengers prevailed, which wouldn?t have been the case if he?d had a surviving daughter.

(Henrico Co. Records 1677-1697, pp 302, 303, 306)

(More about James CREWES and a possible wife in Genealogies

of VA Families, Wm. & Mary Quarterly, Vol. III, pp 216-218)

(More in Giles Carter of Virginia, pp 104/5, describing

connections between CARTERs and CREWEs in Gloucestershire)

James CREWES was not the only person who was generous to the CARTER family. The 1 May 1662 will of John ROWEN provided to Giles CARTER the use of a house for a year and some valuable livestock -- the kind that might have gone to a family with children. This bequest was comparable with that for John?s brother; it suggests a family connection -- perhaps as a brother-in-law.

The following names show up in frequent juxtaposition:

Giles CARTER - Heir of John ROWEN & James CREWES

Daniel & John PRICE - Grandsons of Ann Price.

They lived with John Rowen and were named as heirs.

Daniel was an heir of James CREWES, and he married Giles?s daughter Susannah

Ann (MATTHEWS) PRICE HALLOM LLEWELLIN - Married to Daniel Llewellin

- Mother(or stepmother)of Margaret

Margaret (LLEWELLIN) CREWES/CREWS - Margaret LLEWELLIN witnessed a deed in 1654, and Margaret CREWS witnessed John ROWEN?s 1662 will. I assume that she married James and died before his 1676 will.

James CREWES - James was a business associate of Daniel LLEWELLIN and the HALLOM family.

Were those people just being neighborly, or are there family connections? I don?t understand why Giles and his family were recipients of so many lavish gifts. The gifts were not the type that could be associated with charity.

I also considered William T. SEWELL as a possible father for Hannah, because of his generosity:

He volunteered as security (along with Theodorick CARTER) on 1 June

1696 for an estate matter by Susanna, daughter of Giles I. p 494 8

(Henrico Co. Order Book 1694-1701, p 110)

He gave a horse to the child, Giles II, before 1699;

He was a witness to the 1699 will of Giles I;

He was chosen by Giles II as his guardian in 1704;

(Henrico Co. Wills and Deeds 1697-1704, pp 256 & 279)

(Henrico Co. Orphan's Court Book 1677-1739, p 91)

He chose Giles II as his sole heir and executor in 1725.

(Henrico Co. Wills and Deeds 1725-37, p 2)

HOWEVER, Mike Carter, in his 28 May 1997 e-mail (citing Henrico Co., VA deeds microfilm #5535, page 139, frame #480) says -- William SEWELL, a servant of William RANDOLPH, was determined to be under age 21 in 1683; that would preclude his being Hannah?s father. If he were Hannah?s brother, it would seem that his gifts would have been to all of her children, not just to Giles.

BIRTH -- I don?t know when or where.

DEATH -- After 2 April 1702, when she probated Giles?s will.

Hannah signed documents with the letter H or X

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GILES I & HANNAH

7 Apr 1653 Giles CARTER was a headright for a land grant of Wm.

FRY on the Chichamony(sic) River [in James City Co., Virginia] [don't know when he arrived; it may have been earlier than 1653.

I don?t know if he served a term of indenture in exchange for his

transportation; but I haven?t found any records for him between

1653 abt 1662.]

1 May 1662 The will of John ROWEN of Henrico Co gives Giles CARTER

a black cow named Mad Capp, two breeding pigs and the use for one year

of a house and land on Rowen's Turkey Island estate. 2

[This is the first record I?ve found for Giles since 1653. I don?t

know where he was during those nine years; but I assume that he may

have married and probably had children. That would explain the gift

of the cow. Mike Carter said that cows were very rare at that time

because of a disease that had killed most of the cattle in the colony.

Mike also pointed out that this bequest was greater than those to

John?s brother, Henry, or his nephew, John ROWEN.

Other stipulations in the will provided guardianship for John?s son,

Henry ROWEN, and for John and Daniel PRICE, "orphans of John PRICE".

Witnesses to the will were Margaret CREWS, Richard CARTER, and Wm.

FISHER. Margaret CREWS was the daughter of Daniel LLEWELLIN, and

she probably was the wife of James CREWS.]

[Check the PRICE, HALLUM, LEWELLYN & CREWES families to see

how they are interwoven with ROWEN and CARTER.]

Before 1676 Apparently Giles CARTER was employed by, or associated

with, Captain James CREWES who owned a large plantation in Henrico.

Crewes was a merchant and acted as agent for Daniel LLEWELLYN

(Virginia Colonial Records, Vol. II, pages 8, 10, 22, 29, 50, etc.).

CREWES became involved in Bacon's Rebellion and was sentenced to death and hanged on January 24, 1677. (Minutes of the Council and General Court of VA, pages 455, 528) pp 34-40 4

23 Jul 1676 James CREWES' will was executed. By his will CREWES gave Mary, daughter of Giles CARTER, 10,000 pounds of tobacco and certain household goods, to be paid in three years after his decease, the interest hereof to be towards her clothing; Susan CARTER, 10,000 pounds of tobacco and household goods, to be payd as above; Hannah, wife of Giles CARTER, a negro maid Kate; and to Giles CARTER all that Carter owed him and also the life use with his wife Hannah of the plantation where Carter lived on Turkey Island. The will also mentioned Theodorick as son of Hannah, and the "rest of the children of Giles and Hannah." He left his best suits and coats to Daniel PRICE [who later married Susannah, daughter of Giles CARTER]. He gave all the balance of his estate to his cousin Mathew CREWES, who was named as executor. He mentioned neither a wife nor children.

(Henrico County Wills and Deeds 1677-1692, page 137). p 54 4

(Henrico Co. Records 1677-1697, pp 302, 303, 306)

(More about James CREWES and a possible wife in Genealogies

of VA Families, Wm. & Mary Quarterly, Vol. III, pp 216-218)

(More in Giles Carter of Virginia, pp 104/5, describing

connections between CARTERs and CREWEs in Gloucestershire)

10 Dec 1677 Giles CARTER brings the will of Capt. James CREWS, dec'd, to Court. It was proved Dec. 10, 1677, but not entered until Aug. 2, 1680. p 143 5

(Index to Colonial Records [D&W] 1677-1692, Vol. 1, p 30)

[From the estate inventory of James CREWES, we discover that Tero was Native American. The estate inventory also includes an unnamed Native American boy, an African American man named Mingo, an African American woman named Keate, and an English maid servant named Mary Herringer--with 2 years remaining on her indenture.]

30 Apr 1679 Under "an act for the defence of the country against the incursion of the Indian Enemy" a tithe was levied to fit out men, horses, and arms. Giles CARTER of Turkey Island was listed with 6 tithes. (Order Book & Wills 1678-1693, pp 38/39) p 143 5

[This poll tax included the taxpayer, his sons, and his servants.]

Oct 1679 List of debts owed the estate of Lt. Col. COCKE, dec?d.

includes Giles CARTER for 70 pounds of tobacco. p l43 5

Apr 1680 Deposition of Giles CARTER, aged about 46. p 143 5

(Order Book & Wills 1678-1693, p 57)

1679-1696 Many items, such as jury service, court appearances, estates, debts, etc. pp 143-147 5

28 Feb 1684 William COCKE recorded a deed for land sold to Giles

CARTER. On Turkey Island Mill Run beginning at upper beaver dam. p 41 4

24 Aug 1684 - "Wm. RANDOLPH of Varina Parish, Henrico Co. Gent. from

Giles CARTER & Hannah(X), his wife, of Parish & C. afsd. 20 pounds strl.,60 a. which was

by the last will & testament of Capt. James CREWES (dated, 23 AUG 1676) given unto sd.

Giles & Hannah CARTER being part of ye dividend of land or plantation at Turkey Island of

which sd. Crewes died seized, wch. tract of land or plantation is since purchd. by sd. Wm.

Randolph of ye heir & exor. of Sd. Crews, decd. as by conveyance dated 24 Augt 1684.

Recd. 1 April 1685 Vol. 3, p 1380 6

(Henrico Co. Records 1677-1691, p 302)

[The Avant book (p 145) gives the date as 25 Feb 1684/5, and says 50 acres.]

25 Aug 1684 William RANDOLPH acquired the entire 500-acre plantation from the heirs of James CREWES in exchange for "three acres and fifteen pounds of lawful money of England."

(Henrico Co. Records 1677-1691, p 303) Vol. 3, p 1380 6

15 Mar 1685? Deed from Wm. COCKE to Giles CARTER for 59 acres, between Wm.

COCKE and his brother Jno. p 145 5

15 Mar 1685? Deposition of Robt BULLINGTON as to a game of dice in which

Giles CARTER won 500 lbs. of tobacco from Chas. STEWARD p 145 5

4 Feb 1686 Upon the petition of Giles CARTER, one of ye surveyors of the

highways, that he is ancient, weak and sickly and therefore uncapable of performing his

sd. office. It is ordered that he be released and discharged from ye same. p 149 5

(Henrico Co Colonial Records, Vol. 2, p 229)

[He would have been 52 years of age if he was born in 1634.]

1 Jun 1686 Payments to Giles CARTER as his legacy from the estate

of James CREWES, dec'd p 146 5

(Henrico Co. Colonial Records [D&W] 1677-1692, Vol 1, p 369)

1 Jun 1687 The will of Wm. Humphrey decd. proved by oath of Capt. Wm.

RANDOLPH, a witness thereto; & order for probat thereof granted Margarett, wife of Maurice

FLOYD, ye Exectrx. therein named. Robt. POVALL & Jno.WATSON enter themselves securities.

Giles CARTER, John ANOT, Robert POVALL & Danl. PRICE appointed appraisers of sd.estate. p. 1299 6

1 Jun 1687 Certificate granted to Giles CARTER for 800 acres of land for

the importation of 16 persons. p 41 4

2l Oct 1687 Giles CARTER (along with Robert WOODSON, Richard

FERRES/FERRIS, Wm. FERRIS & Roger CUMMINS) patented 1780 acres, Henrico Co., Verina Par., N. side of James Riv., at the White Oak Swamp. 7

About 1690 In a three-way division of the land after Wm FERRIS & Roger

CUMMINS relinquished their part, Giles CARTER received about 552 acres. p 145 5

(Per Dawson, Deed Book 1688-97, p 126)

[100 years after the granting of this patent, John CARTER, a grandson of Giles, in his will, gave to his son John, a piece of land at the White Oak Swamp] p 42 4

20 Sep 1692 Giles CARTER and Robert(X) POVALL, securities for

Susanna PRICE's administrationon the estate of Danll. PRICE, dec'd.

(Henrico Co. Records 1688-1697, p 356) Vol. III, p 1300) 6

About 1694 Capt. Francis EPES brought an action of debt against Giles CARTER.

The case was dismissed because neither party appeared at court.

(SOME SOUTHERN COLONIAL FAMILIES, David A. Avant, Jr., Vol. 4, p 147

Index to Colonial Records Henrico [D&W] 1694-1699 (395-564], p. 29

1 Aug 1694 Giles CARTER, Senr. acknowledgeth a conveyance of 550 acres of land unto John COCKE; Hannah acknowledgeth her Right of Dower

Same day John COCKE acknowledge conveyance of fifty acres toGiles CARTER.

Same day Giles CARTER acknowledged Deeds of Gift to his sonsTheodorick and Giles (Henrico Colonial Record, Vol. 2, p 201) p 147 5

Same day Giles and Theodorick CARTER witness a deed of Richard COCKE, Jr. of Charles City Co to Thomas WILLIAMSON of Henrico Co.

[Thomas was married to Giles' daughter Susannah before 1696.]

(STANARD's Index to Colonial Deeds, Wills, etc.,

Henrico Co, 1688-1697, p 504) p 147 5

14 Sep 1699 Giles signed his will. [I have a transcript of this will.]

Hannah was the principal legatee and "sole and full executrix".

Children named in Giles' 1699 will were:

Theodorick

Susannah, wife of Thos. WILLIAMSON

Mary, wife of Thomas DAVIS

Ann, wife of James DAVIS

Giles, under 18 years old

[Note: Susannah was previously married to Daniel PRICE.]

[Leslie D. Dawson says there was another son, William, who died

in 1743 in King George County, VA (Will Book A-1, p 164; Order

Book 2, p 369; Inventory #1, p 313)]

1700 OR 1701 Giles CARTER I died

2 Feb 1701/2 Hannah CARTER was granted probate of the will of her husband, Giles CARTER.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 Mar 1701 Theodorick CARTER sold to John PLEASANTS 50 acres on

N. side of James River in Henrico County, which was given to him by

his deceased father, Giles CARTER, and was adjoining his father's

land on Turkey Island Run and known as the Low ground. p 149 5

(Henrico Co., VA Records, p 257)

10 Dec 1701 A deed was recorded at the court held at Varina for

550 acres sold by John COCKE to Thomas WILLIAMSON. The land was

described as a parcel sold to COCKE by Giles CARTER, Sr. p 43 4

SOURCES

1 Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Patents, Nell Nugent, Vol. I, p 276

2 Leslie A. Dawson Report, Henrico Misc Court Records 1650-1807, Vol. I, p 14

3 Genealogies of Virginia Families, William & Mary Quarterly, Vol IV, pp 217-219

4 Giles Carter of Virginia, Gen. William G. H. Carter, pub. 1909

5 Some Southern Colonial Families, David A. Avant, Jr., pub. 1991 Vol. 4, pp 139-152

6 The Edward Pleasants Valentine Papers, Abstracts of Records in the Local and General Archives, pub. by Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

7 Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. II, p 314

8 Adventurers of Purse and Person

9 Gedcom from Lila Lee (Richardson) Hagerty, March 1997

10 Mike Carter of Centerville, Georgia has contributed frequently

May 1991 Compiled by LaVere Peters

Jul 1991 To Darla Love & Jim Peters

Apr 1992 Added Dawson material

Sep 1996 Added Avant and Carter material

Sep 1996 To Linda Martinson & June C. Cottrell

Apr 1997 Added Hagerty gedcom

Jul 2000 Added parental arguments for Hannah

Oct 2000 Added parental argument for Giles, Sr.

Sep 2005 To Ancestor Stories-2005

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The following is the 2005 Ancestor Story

Our Ancestors, Giles Carter, Sr. and Hannah

Mary, the daughter of Giles Carter, Jr. and Mary Povall, who married Ralph Hudspeth II

My belief regarding the parentage of both Giles and Hannah is contrary to family tradition. The extensive genealogy that has been developed for Giles, tracing him back to ancient royal lines of England, has some missing links. It?s likely that our Giles was related to the Carter portion of that record, but not to the Tracy portion, which is the alleged royal connection. Also, the supposition that Hannah was a daughter of James Crewes has proved to be infeasible.. Giles?s 1634 birth date was determined by a 1680 deposition in which he declared himself to be 46 years of age. I think the following is the birth family for our Giles. Giles Carter was born 1634, in the town of Cirencester, in Gloucestershire, England, to Theodor Carter (mother unknown), and he was christened at the local parish on April 24th, 1635. He was the only boy in the family, and he had four sisters; Mary, Joane, Elizabeth, and Margery.

Nothing is known about Giles?s youth, but it must have been affected by the political turmoil in England. In 1649 King Charles was executed, and the country became involved in civil war and despotic Cromwellian rule. Giles immigrated to the Virginia Colony as a teenager, arriving sometime before 7 April 1653, when William Fry claimed him as a headright. . It appears that Giles? journey to the Americas may have been a solo adventure, as there are no known records of any of his family living in the colony. Note -- At that time, in order to encourage immigration and settlement in the colony, the London Company awarded 50 acres of land to every person who paid to sail to the colony. This 50-acre land grant was referred to as a ?headright?. If someone else paid the costs of an immigrant?s journey they could claim that person?s headright and the 50 acres; in return,, the person would work several years as an indentured servant to repay the cost of his transportation. The processing of a headright land grant could have occurred many years after the person actually arrived in the colony. Also, a person who had paid his own way could have sold his headright if he did not intend to use it for acquiring land. Giles married Hannah, and they had five children -- Born Married Mary before 1676 Thomas Davis Susannah before 1676 Daniel Price Thomas Williamson Theodrick before 1676 Elizabeth Ann about 1682 James Davis| Giles II about 1685 Mary Povall Giles and Hannah had twenty-three grandchildren that I know of .

Might Mary and Susannah have had a mother other than Hannah? Giles and sons Theodrick and Giles Jr. were literate men who signed their names to documents; Hannah signed with an X;

Giles Carter: Man of Good Fortune

One fact that sets Giles apart is that throughout his life people gave him things. These were not small gifts: he received cows and pigs, tons of tobacco, houses, and the full use of an entire plantation.. I don?t know what it was about Giles Carter that inspired so much generosity in people.

The first record I?ve found for Giles since his 1653 arrival is the 1 May 1662 will of John Rowen, in which he was a major legatee. By this date Giles was 28 years old and was probably married and with children.

John Rowen?s bequest to Giles Carter was the use for one year of the house and ground of his plantation plus a cow and a pair of breeding sows. This bequest was greater than to John?s brother and his nephew combined. The balance of the estate was to be used for the care of John?s son Henry and for John and Daniel Price, orphans of Jno. Price. One of the witnesses to the will was Margaret Crewes.

NOTE -- I believe that John Rowen had married the widow of John Price, that they had a son,

Henry Rowen, and then she died. John and Daniel Price were sons of John Price. Daniel later married Giles Carter?s daughter Susannah. Margaret (Llewellyn) Crewes was the daughter of Ann Price-Hallom-Llewellyn, half-sister of John Price, and the wife of James Crewes. Margaret died before 1676. I don?t recognize how Giles Carter connected to John Rowen; perhaps he was just a highly valued employee. I?ve seen suggestions that Hannah (or an earlier wife of Giles) might have been a sister or a daughter of John Rowen.

After 1662 Giles Carter became associated with James Crewes, who was a member of the House of Burgesses and a merchant dealing in tobacco and fur hides in Virginia and England. James Crewes frequently did business with Daniel Llewellyn, the third husband of Ann Price-Hallom-Lllewllyn, and he married their daughter Margaret sometime between 1654 and 1662. The Carter family lived at James Crewes? 500-acre plantation at Turkey Island. which coincidentally was part of a 1000-acre grant to Ann Price-Hallom-Llewllyn and her second husband.. In 1676 James Crewes joined with Nathaniel Bacon and other settlers to protest the policies of Governor William Berkeley regarding, among other claims, the lack of protection from hostile Indians. Some people believe that James?s wife may have died in an Indian attack and that would have contributed to his participation in the rebellion. James Crewes was one of the twenty-three rebels sentenced to hang; he died in January 1677. Shortly thereafter, William Berkeley was recalled to England, where he died in the same year. The next record I find for Giles Carter is the 1676 will of James Crewes, which leaves nearly all of his estate to the family of Giles Carter. He confirmed a previous gift of land to Giles and forgave Giles of all his debts. Giles and Hannah were to have the use of his plantation for their lives, and Hannah received a negro maid, who would go to her son Theodrick after her death. Mary and Susan, daughters of Giles Carter, each received household items and five tons of tobacco, ?the interest thereof to be towards their clothing.? Daniel Price was to receive his best suit and coat and hat. Notes: The gifts to Mary and Susan imply that they were young ladies, probably about 16 years old. Maybe they were babies when their father was at John Rowen?s house.. James Crewes? will ended with, ?I make my loving cousin Mr. Mathew Crewes my sole executor of all my lands here in Virginia or elsewhere and all the rest of my estate to him or his heirs forever. It is my desire that my loving friend Giles Carter should live here in my said house and command my servants and make crops or any other thing as shall be convenient and necessary for the said plantation, and so to give an account yearly if my said executor shall order.? Giles was required to pay rent to the estate in the amount of one grain of corn each year.

30 Apr 1679 -- Under "an act for the defence of the country against the incursion of the Indian Enemy" a tithe was levied to fit out men, horses, and arms. Giles CARTER of Turkey Island was listed with 6 tithes. [This poll tax included the taxpayer, his taxable sons, and his servants.]

From 1679 through 1696 Giles appears frequently in the record books of Henrico Co. Virginia. He never sought public office or gained a prestigious name in commerce or the military, but he seemed always to have been available in his Turkey Island neighborhood to perform jury service, witness a will or a deed, appraise an estate, or to win 500 pounds of tobacco in a dice game. Turkey Island is not an island; it is an area on the north side of a big bend in the James River, which was occupied by many wild turkeys and many of our ancestors. The name Giles Carter has been passed down through the generations of his family, and it seems to have become popular among other unrelated Carter families.

After the Carter family had enjoyed eight years as landed gentry, Matthew Crewes and his sister, Sarah Whittingham of London, breached the will and sold their 500 acres of the Turkey Island plantation to William Randolph on August 25, 1684. They received fifteen pounds and three acres of land. William Randolph paid twenty pounds to Giles Carter for the 60 acres he had received earlier as a gift from James Crewes.

In 1685 and 1687 Giles acquired land -- 59 acres purchased from John Cocke; 800 acres for transporting 16 persons; and 552 acres as his portion of a four-man partnership. On 1 August 1694, in a convoluted series of transactions involving John Cocke, Giles sold some land, gave some to his sons, and arranged to have some delivered to his daughter Susannah. I have probably missed several transactions, so I don?t know how much land remained in his estate.

Giles wrote his will 14 September 1699, and he died before 2 February 1701 in Henrico Co. VA.

The Will of Giles Carter

In the name of God Amen. I Giles Carter, being of a weake and infirm body yet (Blessed be God) of a sound and perfect memory: And considering the frailty and incertainty of man?s Life and not knowing the time of my departure hence; I doe make Constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament: hereby Revoking all other wills by me heretofore made whatsoever Imprs: I commend my soul into the hands of my Blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ Relying only upon his merits for Salfation. My Body I commit to the Earth to be decently therein interred. And for what worldly Goods and possessions God hath bestowed upon me, it is my will and desire they may be disposed of in form and manner following.

I Give and bequeath to my son Theodrick Carter five shillings Sterl?g to be paid by my Deare wife Hannah either in Silver or to the full value thereof as to her shall seeme most convenient.

Item: I Give to my Daughter Susanna now ye wife of Thos. Williamson five Shillings Sterling to be paid as above s?d.

Item: I give a bequest to my daughter Mary now ye wife of Thomas Davis five Shills, Sterl?g. to be paid as aforesaid.

Item: I give to my Daughter Ann now the wife of James Davis, one feather bed and Bolster, one Rugg, one blanket and one Cow.

Item: I give to my son Giles one mare called Nanny with her increase for ever, It being a mare formerly given to him by William Sewell, she then being but a Philly.

These Legacies being as also wf debts have or shall be lawfully by me contracted, being full satisfied. It is my will and desire that what of my Estate shall Remain (one feather bed and furniture only excepted) for my wife Hannah (which I give unto her) may be equally divided into two parts, the one part whereof to belong to my wife Hannah, the other to my son Giles. It is not my intent or design?d in any wise hereby to disannull or make voide a deed of Gift former by me made to my son Giles and entred upon Record. But I doe by this my last will and testament Rattifie and confirm the same.

Item: It is my will and desire that What Estate shall appertain to my son Giles that he may receive the same when he shall arrive to ye age of Eighteen years; and also enjoy the benefit of his Labour, my wife Hannah not being any wise molested or disturbed upon the plantacon wee now live upon during her live.

And lastly I make Constitute and appoint my dear and loveing wife full and sole Execs: of this my last will & Testament, the which I own to by my Last: All others being hereby Disannulled and made voide. As Witness my hand and seale this 11th day of December, 1699

GILES CARTER (Seal of Red Wax)

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us:

Thomas Smythe, William T. Sewell, James D. Davis

Henrico County, Febr?s ye 2: 1701/2 Proved in open Court by the oaths of subscribed Witnesses as to the Last will and testam?t of the subscribed Giles Carter

Testl. James Cocke, Cl. Cur.

It appears that the bulk of Giles?s estate was the land that went to wife Hannah and younger son Giles. Note -- The 5-shilling bequests to the older children may look skimpy to us, but at that time it was rare to bequeath money -- hardly anyone had any. There was very little cash money in the colony; none was being minted or printed there, so their money all came from other places -- England, Spain, Holland, even pirates. Commerce was conducted largely by barter. In Virginia tobacco became the coin of the realm; sort of like wampum or shells. People often shipped their tobacco to England along with shopping lists of items they'd like to receive in return for it -- no money changed hands. I?ve heard that the king preferred that British coins should not go to the colonists since they weren?t sending him any silver or gold. Spain had benefitted greatly from the wealth of their southern colonies.

Giles CARTER I & Hannah (maybe CREWES or SEWELL)

ID 3892 & 3893 rin 54 & 55

GILES

Parents - Assumed to be Gyles CARTER, Esq. of Cold Aston and Lady

Elizabeth TRACY (See note 1) Born about 1634, probably in Gloucestershire, England, To Virginia by 1653 (See note 2 )

Died 1700/1, Henrico Co., VA

Giles was apparently literate; he signed his name to documents.

HANNAH

Parents - Two possibilities: James CREWES or William SEWELL (See note 3) Born - I don't know when or where. She must have been younger

than Giles, to have had a child after 1681.

Died after 2 Apr 1702, when she probated Giles's will.

Hannah signed documents with the letter H or X

Marriage - Before 1670. They had at least three children by 1676.

[Did Giles have another wife before Hannah?]

Children (See note 4)

7 Apr 1653 Giles CARTER was a headright for a land grant of Wm. FRY on the Chichamony(sic) River [in James City Co.] 1

[I don't know when he was transported or if he was bonded for his transportation.]

1 May 1662 The will of John ROWEN of Henrico Co gives Giles CARTER a cow and the use for one year of a house and land on Rowen's Turkey Island estate. 2

[John ROWEN was the stepfather? of Daniel and John PRICE; Daniel PRICE later married Susannah, daughter of Giles CARTER.]

[One of the witnesses of this will was Margaret CREWS, daughter of Daniel LLEWELLYN and considered by some to have been the wife of James CREWES; if so, she must have died before 1676.] 3

Before 1676 Apparently Giles CARTER was employed by, or associated with, Captain James CREWES who owned a large plantation in Henrico.

Crewes was a merchant and acted as agent for Daniel LLEWELLYN

(Virginia Colonial Records, Vol. II, pages 8, 10, 22, 29, 50, etc.).

CREWES became involved in Bacon's Rebellion and was sentenced to death and hanged on January 24, 1677.

(Minutes of the Council and General Court of VA, pages 455, 528) pp 34-40 4

23 Jul 1676 James CREWES' will was executed, and Giles CARTER presented it to Court. It was proved Dec. 10, 1677, but not entered until Aug. 2, 1680.

By his will CREWES gave Mary, daughter of Giles CARTER, 10,000 pounds of tobacco and certain household goods, to be paid in three years after his decease, the interest hereof to be towards her clothing; Susan CARTER

10,000 pounds of tobacco and household goods, to be payd as above;

Hannah, wife of Giles CARTER, a negro maid Kate; and to Giles CARTER all that Carter owed him and also the life use with his wife Hannah of the plantation where Carter lived on Turkey Island. The will also mentions Theodorick and the "rest of the children of Giles and Hannah." He left his best suits and coats to Daniel PRICE [who later married Susannah, daughter of Giles CARTER].

He gave all the balance of his estate to his cousin Mathew CREWES, who was named as executor. He mentioned neither a wife nor children.

(Henrico County Wills and Deeds 1677-1692, page 137). p 54 4

10 Dec 1677 Giles CARTER brings the will of Capt. James CREWS, dec'd, to Court p 143 5 (Index to Colonial Records [D&W] 1677-1692, Vol. 1, p 30)

30 Apr 1679 Under "an act for the defence of the country against the incursion of the Indian Enemy" a tithe was levied to fit out men, horses, and arms. Giles CARTER of Turkey Island was listed with 6 tithes.(Order Book & Wills 1678-1693, pp 38/39) p 143 5

[This poll tax included the taxpayer, his sons, and his servants.]

Apr 1680 Deposition of Giles CARTER, aged about 46. p 143 5 (Order Book & Wills 1678-1693, p 57)

1679-1696 Many items, such as jury service, court appearances, estates, debts, etc. pp 143-147 5

28 Feb 1684 William COCKE recorded a deed for land sold to GilesCARTER. On Turkey Island Mill Run beginning at upper beaver dam. p 41 4

24 Aug 1684 - "Wm. RANDOLPH of Varina Parish, Henrico Co. Gent. from Giles CARTER & Hannah(X), his wife, of Parish & C. afsd. 20 pounds strl., 60 a. which was by the last will & testament of Capt. James CREWES (dated, 23 AUG 1676) given unto sd. Giles & Hannah CARTER being part of ye dividend of land or plantation at Turkey Island of which sd. Crewes died seized, wch. tract of land or plantation is since purchd. by sd. Wm. Randolph of ye heir & exor. of Sd. Crews, decd. as by conveyance dated 24 Augt 1684. Recd. 1 April 1685 Vol. 3, p 1380 6

(Henrico Co. Records 1677-1691, p 302)

[The Avant book (p 145) gives the date as 25 Feb 1684/5, and says 50 acres.]

25 Aug 1684 William RANDOLPH acquired the entire 500-acreplantation from the heirs of James CREWES in exchange for "three acres and fifteen pounds of lawful money of England."(Henrico Co. Records 1677-1691, p 303) Vol. 3, p 1380 6

15 Mar 1685? Deed from Wm. COCKE to Giles CARTER for 59 acres,between Wm. COCKE and his brother Jno. p 145 5

15 Mar 1685? Deposition of Robt BULLINGTON as to a game of dicein which Giles CARTER won 500 lbs. of tobacco from Chas. STEWARD p 145 5

4 Feb 1686 Upon the petition of Giles CARTER, one of ye surveyors of the highways, that he is ancient, weak and sickly and therefore uncapable of performing his sd. office. It is ordered that he be released and discharged from ye same. p 149 5 ( Henrico Co Colonial Records, Vol. 2, p 229)

[He would have been 52 years of age if he was born in 1634.]

1 Jun 1686 Payments to Giles CARTER as his legacy from the estate of James CREWES, dec'd p 146 5 ( Henrico Co. Colonial Records [D&W] 1677-1692, Vol 1, p 369)

1 Jun 1687 The will of Wm. Humphrey decd. proved by oath of Capt. Wm. RANDOLPH,a witness thereto; & order for probat thereof granted Margarett, wife of Maurice FLOYD, ye Exectrx. therein named. Robt. POVALL & Jno.WATSON

enter themselves securities. Giles CARTER, John ANOT, Robert POVALL & Danl. PRICE appointed appraisers of sd.estate. p. 1299 6

1 Jun 1687 Certificate granted to Giles CARTER for 800 acresof land for the importation of 16 persons. p 41 4

2l Oct 1687 Giles CARTER (along with Robert WOODSON, Richard FERRES/FERRIS, Wm. FERRIS & Roger CUMMINS) patented 1780 acres,

Henrico Co., Verina Par., N. side of James Riv., at the White Oak Swamp. 7

About 1690 In a three-way division of the land after Wm FERRIS & Roger CUMMINS relinquished their part, Giles CARTER received about 552 acres. p 145 5 ( Per Dawson, Deed Book 1688-97, p 126)

[100 years after the granting of this patent, John CARTER, agrandson of Giles, in his will, gave to his son John, a piece of land at the White Oak Swamp] p 42 4

20 Sep 1692 Giles CARTER and Robert(X) POVALL, securities for Susanna PRICE's administrationon the estate of Danll. PRICE, dec'd. (Henrico Co. Records 1688-1697, p 356) Vol. III, p 1300) 6

1 Aug 1694 Giles CARTER, Senr. acknowledgeth a conveyance of550 acres of land unto John COCKE; Hannah acknowledgeth her Right of Dower

Same day John COCKE acknowledge conveyance of fifty acres to Giles CARTER.
Same day Giles CARTER acknowledged Deeds of Gift to his sons Theodorick and Giles.
(Henrico Colonial Record, Vol. 2, p 201) p 147 5
Same day Giles and Theodorick CARTER witness a deed of RichardCOCKE, Jr. of Charles City Co to Thomas WILLIAMSON of Henrico Co.
[Thomas was married to Giles' daughter Susannah before 1696.] (STANARD's Index to Colonial Deeds, Wills, etc., Henrico Co, 1688-1697, p 504) p 147 5

14 Sep 1699 Giles executed his will. He died in 1700/1.

[I have a transcript of this will.]

2 Feb 1701/2 Hannah CARTER was granted probate of the will of her husband, Giles CARTER.

• * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2 Mar 1701 Theodorick CARTER sold to John PLEASANTS 50 acres on N. side of James River in Henrico County, which was given to him by his deceased father, Giles CARTER, and was adjoining his father's land on Turkey Island Run and known as the Low ground. p 149 5

(Henrico Co., VA Records, p 257)

10 Dec 1701 A deed was recorded at the court held at Varina for

550 acres sold by John COCKE to Thomas WILLIAMSON. The land was described as a parcel sold to COCKE by Giles CARTER, Sr. p 43 4

NOTES

NOTE 1. The parentage of Giles has not been established by known records;

no will has been found for his assumed father. It is considered possible that he might be the son of Giles CARTER, who came from Gloucestershire to Virginia in 1621 on the ship SUPPLY and returned

to England on the same ship. The 1621 voyage was organized through

the Virginia Company by William TRACY, a cousin of Lady Elizabeth. pp 98-107 4

I have research reports that allege to trace the Carter and Tracy families far back into the Middle Ages.

NOTE 2. I wonder if his arrival in Virginia about 1653 was related to the political scene in England; 1653 was the beginning of the Cromwell years. During the preceding "Great Rebellion of 1642-48, Giles

CARTER (his supposed father) was sequestered and compounded for 968 pounds, 17 shillings. p 104 4

NOTE 3. Most researchers consider that James CREWES was Hannah's father,

based on the generosity of his 1676 will. In 1680 Crewes' niece

and nephew challenged the will (declaring that Crewes died leaving neither a widow nor children). The challengers prevailed.

(Henrico Co. Records 1677-1697, pp 302, 303, 306)

(More about James CREWES and a possible wife in Genealogies of VA Families, Wm. & Mary Quarterly, Vol. III, pp 216-218)

(More in Giles Carter of Virginia, pp 104/5, describing connections between CARTERs and CREWEs in Gloucestershire)

Researcher Leslie D. Dawson suggests that William T. SEWELL might be the father of Hannah, for the following reasons:

He volunteered as security (along with Theodorick CARTER)

on 1 June 1696 for an estate matter by Susanna, daughter of Giles I. p 494 8

(Henrico Co. Order Book 1694-1701, p 110)

He gave a horse to the child, Giles II, before 1699;

He was a witness to the 1699 will of Giles I;

He was chosen by Giles II as his guardian in 1704;

(Henrico Co. Wills and Deeds 1697-1704, pp 256 & 279)

(Henrico Co. Orphan's Court Book 1677-1739, p 91)

He chose Giles II as his sole heir and executor in 1725.

(Henrico Co. Wills and Deeds 1725-37, p 2)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 4. Their children named in James CREWES' 1676 will were Mary, Susan, and Theodorick CARTER.

Children named in Giles' 1699 will were: Theodorick Susannah, wife of Thos. WILLIAMSON Mary, wife of Thomas DAVIS Ann, wife of James DAVIS Giles, under 18 years old [Note: Susannah was previously married to Daniel PRICE.]

[Leslie D. Dawson says there was another son, William, who died in 1743 in King George County, VA (Will Book A-1, p 164; Order Book 2, p 369; Inventory #1, p 313)]

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