Thomas Carter

Thomas Carter the Elder, Gent., was the son of William Carter and wife Mary Anscell. He was born September 19, 1575 in Kempston Parish, Bedfordshire, England, and died there in 1647. He married Jane Bellay, third daughter of Dr. John Bellay of Lincolnshire. Dr. Bellay was the chancellor of the Diocese of Lincoln.

Thomas and Jane appear in the Visitations of Bedfordshire in 1566, along with three daughters and two sons. He inherited Oakes Farm at his father's death.

Children of Thomas Carter and wife Jane Bellay:

• Elizabeth Carter, who married a Mr. Malcott and had three children, according to the will.
• Jane Carter, who was not married at the time of her father's death
• Susan Carter, who married a Mr. Woodward
• William Carter, who married Anne Emmery, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Emmery of Alridgesey, Bedfordshire. William died before his father, according to his father's will, included below.
• Thomas Carter the Younger, second son and heir.

The Will of Thomas Carter

Thomas left a detailed will was dated 11 August 1647 at Kempston, Bedfordshire, England and proved 5 October 1647 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The will named many of his family members, with descriptions of the relationships. He was listed as "Thomas Carter, the elder of Kempston, Bedfordshire, gentleman". He specified that he was the father of Thomas Carter Junior, who was to be executor. To be supervisors were Brother-in-law Dr. Francis Banister, Doctor of Physick; friend Edmund Wingate of Gray's Inn, Esquire; brother Anscell Carter. Witnesses were Edmund Wingate; Elizabeth Anscell; Mary Anscell; Charles Mordaunt; Robert Beaumont; John Browne. He also directed that he was to be buried at Kempston Church as near my father as possible. He left the following bequests:

• His wife Jane to receive "3 milch cows and household stuffs".
• "I stand possessed of 3 acres of land in Kempston for 1,000 years by indenture dated 20 June 30 (1630) Elizabeth and am indebted to Henry Puckwood of South Hill, Bedfordshire, for 30 pounds. For the satisfaction thereof I give him the aforesaid land."
• "To the 3 children of my daughter Malcott viz Thomas, William and Ursula Malcott, 5 pounds each at the age of 21.
• To every of my grandchildren, viz William and Elizabeth the children of my son William deceased, 13 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence each at the age of 21.
• To my daughter Jane 30 pounds.
• To my servant Margaret Hiles 20 shillings per annum for llife.
• To my son Thomas Carter and his heirs one tenement in Barford now in the tenure of Thomas Henton with orchard and gardens etc. adjoining and belonging thereto, lately by me purchased of Thomas Peirce, to be sold towards the payment of my debts.
• To my Aunt Mrs. Elizabeth Anscell, my cousins Mr. Thomas Anscell and Mrs. Mary Anscell, my cousin George Carter, son of my brother Anscell Carter, 20 shillings for rings.
• Having sold my copyhold land in the Manor of Kempston, my son Thomas to pay with the proceeds as follows: 52 pounds to my Aunt Elizabeth Anscell; 22 pounds to Edmund Sparkes of Silvershoe; and the remainder to Henry Hill of Bedford, to satisfy my debt of 40 pounds which I owe him on bond.
• To my daughter Susan Woodward 10 poounds; and to Thomas Woodward, her son, my godchild 10 pounds at the age of 21.
• I give my grandchild Thomas Carter the residue of my estate. My son Thomas Carter to be the Administrator during the minority of my grandson Thomas Carter who is under 21, and if he chooses my wife to be his guardian, she is to continue to live at Kempston, and to have 30 pounds per annum for his education for the next two years after my decease and afterwards until his full age, forty pounds per annum.