Benajah Carr

Notes:

Sometime after marrying his second wife, possibly around 1731 Caleb moved, with his family, from Jamestown to West Greenwich, RI. There he bought 282 & 1/2 acres of land on what was afterward to be called Carr's Pond, on the East Greenwich-West Greenwich border.

Caleb married Mary Unknown 1712, Newport, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

For a record of this marriage, see "New England Marriages Prior to 1700" by Clarence Almond Torrey, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD., 1985, pp. 136-137

Some online sites have this Caleb as being the one born in August 1657. Various sites have that other Caleb as being either the son of Robert or the son of his brother Caleb, who was the governor. Also, Francis Richmond Sears has this Caleb's estimated year of birth as 1650, but 1644 seems more likely when the whole family group is analyzed. We know from his father's will that Caleb was the eldest.

Caleb's will of 1688 mentions his wife "Phillip," eldest son Caleb, other sons William, Robert, Job, and daughters Mary & "Phillip," both under 18. Also mentioned are cousin Nicholas Carr, "father" Major John Greene, and brother-in-law Peter Greene.

Caleb married Phillip\Phillippe GREENE Abt 1676, Rhode Island. Phillip\Phillippe (daughter of John GREENE, Jr. and Anne ALMY) was born 7 Oct 1658, Portsmouth, RI; died Between 1690 and 1706. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Her name was written as "Phillip," but nowadays is usually written as "Phillippa" or even "Phillis." According to information on given names at a Rootsweb site, Phillip/Philip was a popular name for both males & females in the time from 1450 - 1650, although it declined in popularity after the reign of Mary Tudor (1553-1558), when Philip II of Spain, her militant Roman Catholic husband, was perceived as the enemy. The name became very rare in the 1600s, unless, of course, it was passed down as a family name as in this lineage.

Notes:

The following information is paraphrased from a summary posted online by Roger Courser (see RDCourser@excite.com]:

Robert came to America with his brother Caleb on the ship "Elizabeth & Ann," commanded by Captain Roger Cooper, sailing from London on 9 May 1635. On this shipping record is listed: Caleb Carr, age 11; and Robert Carr, age 21, described as a "taylor." Both brothers were considered minors at the time, and were sent to America after the death of their parents to live with their uncle William Carr, who had previously come, and lived in Bristol with his wife Susan.

The young brothers eventually settled in Newport, RI and were recognized as freemen there. (See Records of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, Rhode Island, p. 92 in RI Manual; also see "Little Compton Families" by Benjamin Franklin Wilbour.) Robert was admitted as an inhabitant of Portsmouth on 21 Feb 1639, and as a freeman in Newport, 16 March 1641. He is said to be one of the original purchasers of the island of Conanicut (Jamestown) from the Indians. This transaction also included property in Newport.

Both Caleb and Robert were associates of William Coddington, who came from Boston, Lincolnshire, England, as one of the original members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629. He was one of the leading merchants in Boston, MA, during its early years. In 1637, a group of people led by William Coddington left Boston, MA, because of unresolved religious differences. This group went south to Providence, RI, and conferred with Roger Williams, who had established his settlement on the premise of liberty of religious conscience. With the aid of Mr. Williams, the group purchased from the Indians the large island of Aquidnick and founded the town of Pacassit (later called Portsmouth). In 1639, again because of differences, Coddington separated from Anne Hutchinson's family and moved to the south end of the island to lay out a new settlement called Newport. It is believed that Robert adopted the beliefs of the society of Friends and was known as a Quaker. His will was dated 20 April 1681.

Ref: "Seventeenth Century Colonial Ancestors," p. 46: CARR, Robert (1614-1681) RI m. Elizabeth; Landowner

Some info. from Elizabeth Marren Perinchief, Certified Genealogist, 225 High St., Mt. Holly, NJ (609-267-1122) in a letter dated 20 Nov 1990 to Janet H. Augustyn, 306 Douglas Dr., West Chester, PA 19380

See also: "The Carr Family Records" by Edson Carr, 1894, and "The Carr Book" by Arthur A. Carr, 1947, p. 26

In addition to the above information on Robert, the following is exerpted from "The Carr Ancestry of Richmond Carr of Portsmouth, RI," by Francis Richmond Sears, published in "Genealogies of RI Families, Vol I," pp. 108 ff, also on Family Tree Maker CD 180:

Robert is frequently referred to in official documents which record various transactions and appointments. For example, on 11 June 1677 the Assembly met at his house at 8 o'clock in the morning. On 15 Nov 1678 he was given L1.4s by the Assembly for service done by his son Caleb and his sloop, in transporting Magistrates to Narragansett. Other records give details of deeds or the amount he paid in taxes.

His will mentions: "my loving wife," eldest son Caleb, daughter Mary & son-in-law John Hicks, son Robert, daughter Elizabeth & son-in-law James Brown, son Esek, and daughter Margaret. Appointed as overseers were "my brother Caleb Carr" and Walter Clarke.

Also see John O. Austin's "The Genealogical Dictionary of RI," p. 39.

Robert — Elizabeth Unknown. Elizabeth died Aft 20 Apr 1681. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John Greene came to New England with his family in 1635. On a 1650 map of Providence, his name is shown as owner on one of the original house lots on Towne Steeet. He became a Major in the Rhode Island Militia, Representative to the Rhode Island General Assembly for 12 years, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, agent for the colony in England, and Deputy Governor from 1690 to 1700. (See "Colonial Families of the United States")

"He became a large landowner in his own right as well as by inheritance, and was prominently active in all interests of town and Colony. It was written of him at a later period: 'He was a man of great weight of thought, sharpness of wit, aptness of action, and adroitness of understanding.' " (See "The Greenes of Rhode Island" compiled by Louise Brownell Clarke, New York: Knickerbocker Press, 1903, p. 59)

Official leadership positions he held:
Town Clerk and Surveyor of Warwick, RI
Commissioner: Member of Colonial Assemblies
Deputy, Assistant, and Deputy Governor for about 11 years
Captain of the Militia for 8 years
Major for 7 years
Attorney general 1657 - 1660
Secretary of State 1652 - 1654
Several times was sent to England as an Agent for the Colony

His will, dated Dec 1706, says he is in his 87th year, and his wife in her 80th. He names sons Richard, Samuel, Peter, & Job; and daughters Deborah, Philip(a), Ann, Catherine, & Adere; granddaughter Mary Dyer; and refers to Philip(a)'s children but not by name.

John married Anne ALMY Abt 1648. Anne (daughter of William ALMY and Audrey BARLOWE) was born 26 Feb 1626/27, South Kilworth, Leicester, England; died 6 May 1709, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Her name may have been Ann, Annis, or Agnes.

Notes:

The children of this marriage are found in the Warwick, RI, First Book of Marriages.