Benjamin Carr

Edward married Naomi Barton Between Oct 1715 and 22 Oct 1720. Naomi (daughter of Benjamin Barton and Susannah Gorton) was born Abt 1690; died Bef 7 May 1721. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She was the widow of Ebenezer Slocum when she married Edward Carr. Her mother's will of 7 May 1721 refers to Naomi as late of Jamestown, dec'd.

Edward married Hannah Stanton 6 Oct 1686, Newport, RI. Hannah (daughter of John Stanton and Mary Horndell) was born Between 7 Sep and 7 Nov 1670, Newport, RI; died 1752. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Hannah is mentioned in the will of her maternal grandfather, John Horndell/Hordall.

The will of Hannah Carr, of Jamestown, widow, mentions sons Edward & James, both of Jamestown; and her five daughters as well as their husbands.

Notes:

In the Jamestown marriage record, the year is no longer legible -- possibly 1690? It identifies Edward as "of Newport" and Hannah as "of James Towne." They were married "at Newport by W. C. Governour" (which is penned with a flourish).

Notes:

See abstract of Benjamin Barton's will dated 22 Oct 1720, in Alden Beaman's "RI Genealogical Register."

Benjamin married Susannah Gorton 10 Jun 1672, Warwick, RI. Susannah (daughter of Samuell GORTON and Mary MAPLETT) was born 1650; died Abt 1734. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Apparently Susanna (Susan) and her sister Elizabeth were married on the same day.

Notes:

Caleb came to America as an 11-year-old with his brother, Robert, on the ship "Elizabeth & Ann" in 1635. They eventually settled in the area of Portsmouth and Newport, RI. Caleb was governor of the colony of RI, and it was during his tenure that he died by drowning.

Alden G. Beaman gives his date of birth as 9 Dec 1616 (London), but this does not agree with his age given on the ship's roster, 11.

His will was proved 6 Jan 1696 in Jamestown.

Governor married Mercy Vaughn Abt 1654. Mercy was born Between 1630 and 1632; died Sep 1675. [Group Sheet]

John married Mary Horndell Abt 1667, Newport, RI. Mary (daughter of John Horndell) was born 6 Jul 1647; died Between 19 Feb 1683/84 and 1687. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Mary is mentioned in her father's will, dated 19 February 1684.

Notes:

Samuell always signed his name with two "LL"s.

There is an excellent biographical sketch of Samuell by Thomas Gorton in his book "Samuel Gorton and His Descendants," published by Gateway Press. Also interesting is a book entitled "Warwick Neck," compliled by a Mr. Nixon, and published by the Warwick Neck Association. It is available in the reference section of the Warwick Public Library.

Samuell Gorton was a very intelligent free-thinker who was not bound by many of the entrenched conventions of his time. This brought him into conflict with others, especially those who were in positions of power and leadership. Samuell was not hesitant to speak up about what he believed was right, both in his own defense and on behalf of other individuals, and was known to be quite candid and sometimes even sarcastic in his confrontations. While some people of his day considered him to be a rabble-rouser, his political beliefs were vindicated in time, and his religious beliefs are held by many today. I daresay most of us would have strong words for the town fathers of Massachusetts Bay, if we had the opportunity to go back and confront them. Although Gorton has been criticized by some writers, he was greatly respected and admired by many in his own time, and can be credited, along with Roger Williams, for helping to obtain the rights enjoyed by the Colony of Rhode Island, freedoms which eventually spread to the rest of America and to other parts of the world.

There is no ambiguity about his motives in coming to America; his own words were: "I came to New England to enjoy libertie of conscience in respect to faith towards God, and for no other end." Samuell arrived in Boston in March of 1636 or 1637, at the height of a controversy already raging over doctrinal differences. He soon relocated to Plymouth, whose pastor at the time, Rev. Smith, was somewhat "lacking in gifts." As Samuell led his family in times of worship and Bible study at his home, which happened to be rented from the minister, others of the community began to join them. Before long there was jealousy, with some people taking sides. When Mrs. Gorton's servant was ordered to appear in court, supposedly over some inapproprate conversation but really because she had smiled in church, Samuell told her not to go and went to court in her stead to plead her case. Because the proceedings were handled unfairly and the so-called judge criticized by Gorton, the outcome was that he was told to leave the community, which he did. Moving to Portsmouth, RI, he was one of the group who in 1639 signed the second town compact, and was referred to as "Mr." Gorton, which at that time conveyed respect. A struggle over politcal leadership was going on, involving William Coddington and Anne Hutchinson. Of course Gorton freely expressed his opinion, again incurring resentment from certain individuals. A situation with a servant again was the reason for a visit to court, but it soon turned into barrage of accusations against Samuell by the officials, mostly because he had questioned their right to be in charge at all. He and those who spoke up on his behalf were told to leave, which they did, even though the town reversed this order a month later. Gorton and his family, along with his friends and their families, moved to Providence, where most of the town leaders agreed in principle with Gorton's views. However, some key differences in opinion caused tension, so the Gortonites moved south and settled in the area now known as Warwick Neck, adjacent to the settlement at Pawtuxet. A large tract of land was purchased from the Indians, with Roger Williams helping in the negotiations. However, their troubles were not over yet, because a group of Indians on Warwick Neck, the Shawomuts, refused to leave, even though the land had been fairly purchased by the settlers. Years of controversy ensued, during which Massachusetts and Connecticut tried to use differences between the Indian tribes as an occasion to gain control of the Rhode Island territory. At one time Massachusetts even sent a raiding party down to arrest Gorton and the other families. Finally, a charter granted by the King of England and facilited by Richard Rich, the Earl of Warwick, brought resolution to the situation. Samuell named the town Warwick after the Earl. However, the Indians on the neck continued to harass the settlers up until the end of King Philip's War. That such turmoil should prevail in such a beautiful location is a shame. However, in time Samuell Gorton and his family would enjoy the fruits of their labor and persistance.

Samuell, with the help of his sons, built a house at Warwick Neck in 1677, when he was 85 years old -- the year before he died. The house burned down in 1848, and another was built on the site in 1849. There is a stone marker at the lot, 190 Warwick Neck Avenue.

Bio here:
https://www.warwickhistory.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=476:samuel-gorton-15931677&catid=57&Itemid=130

Samuell married Mary MAPLETT Abt 1629, England. Mary (daughter of John MAPLETT and Mary Unknown) was born 12 Mar 1608/09, London, England; died Aft 1650, RI. [Group Sheet]