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- 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.
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