Person:John Carpenter (158)

Parents of John S. Carpenter

THEORY A: Parents = Dr. Benjamin Owen Carpenter and Matilda Sylvester.

• Analysis: John S. Carpenter is identified as the brother of Benjamin O. Carpenter (1837-1883) in Benjamin's 1883 obituary which states that the brothers served together on the U.S.S. Wabash during the Civil War. Their service is documented in military records. The parents of Benjamin O. Carpenter are known to be Dr. Benjamin Owen Carpenter and Matilda Sylvester, therefore it is assumed that these are the parents of John S. Carpenter as well. This theory is not without problems, however. Dr. Carpenter died bef 1850 and young John is not found living with his widowed mother and siblings in the 1850 census.

1858: Court Case - Carpenter vs. Dame

In May 1858 ⁶, the heirs of Benjamin O. Carpenter sued a "John Carpenter" claiming that he had forged a real estate bond concerning the land of their deceased father. John S.'s mother Matilda is named in the case which clearly identifies this as John's family. However, it is not clear who the John Carpenter is who is named in the suit? Is he Benjamin's brother? More research is needed.

1861: Civil War Service

From Apr 1861 - May 1964, John S. Carpenter served as a Masters Mate aboard the U.S.S. Wabash in the Civil War Navy. His brother, Benjamin O. Carpenter, also served aboard the same vessel.

1. ↑ [Military Record], in Morrison Reeves Library Civil War Database.

   [Last accessed 28 Aug 2014]
   Record #: 374
   Rank: Masters Mate
   Unit: U.S. Frigate Wabash
   Service Type: enlisted
   Start of Service: April 1861
   End of Service: May 1864
   Reason for Discharge: resigned
   Battles: Hatteras Inlet; Fort Clark; Port Royal; etc.
   Residence: Cambridge City
   Additional Notes: rec'd Commission; see citation-extensive history
   Citation: p. 271, D&SR 1865

2. ↑ J.S. Carpenter, in Cambridge City Tribune. (Cambridge City, Indiana).

   24 Feb 1870, p 3 - BORN. To the wife of John S. Carpenter - a boy.
   
   14 Apr 1870 - The celebrated "Shoo Fly" cigar, at the Hank Corner, is a No 1 article. We speak from experience when we say so, for we have tried several of them. If you want a good smoke go and see John S. Carpenter. ...
   
   10 Mar 1871, p 3 - WANTED. To sell a desirable Dwelling. apply to J.S. CARPENTER. n45-4t. ...
   
   6 Apr 1871, p 2 - J.W. Carpenter, bought the Real property at J.S. Carpenter's sale last Saturday, for $2,225. He however had a previous bid on it for $2,400. The personal property sold low although nothing else could hardly be expected, as it was a cash sale. W.W. Shelly, of New Castle was the Auctioneer. ...
   
   6 Apr 1871, p 3 - J. S. Carpenter having sold his property and disposed of his business left for Indianapolis, where he will reside for the present, and probably will afterwards go farther west. Wherever the fates or fortunes may carry John, we hope his lines may be cast in pleasant places. Mr. Carpenter has been one of our enterprising business men and we regret to see him leave. ...
   
   15 Jun 1871, p 3 - Anybody knowing himself to be indebted to J.S. Carpenter will please come forward and make immediate settlement with the undersigned at his office. F.G. EPPLY. ...
   
   28 Nov 1872, p 2 - Real Estate Transfers for the Week Ending, Nov., 25. ... Mattie A. Carpenter to J.G. Webb. pt block 29, Cambridge City, $2,000. ...
   [Note: is this John's wife?]

3. ↑ POSSIBLE MATCH: John Carpenter, in Tippecanoe, Indiana, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M432).

   Year: 1850; Census Place: Fairfield, Tippecanoe, Indiana; Roll: M432_175; Page: 118A; Image: 240.
   -----
   Name: John Carpenter
   Age: 12
   Birth Year: abt 1838
   Birthplace: Pennsylvania
   Home in 1850: Fairfield, Tippecanoe, Indiana
   Gender: Male
   Family Number: 1552
   
   Household Members: Name Age
   John Carpenter 41
   Louisa Carpenter 24
   Edwin Carpenter 19
   Hetta Carpenter 16
   Harriet Carpenter 15
   John Carpenter 12
   Benjima Carpenter 9
   Mary Carpenter 13
   Gustavus Carpenter 0
   Sulvin Bilby 20
   -----
   [cos1776 Note: This is a POSSIBLE MATCH for John as he is not found in the household of his widowed mother and 5 siblings. It is possible that the elder John Carpenter in this household is a relative (possibly a brother) of John's father, Benjamin Carpenter, and that he is the same John Carpenter who is later sued by the heirs of Benjamin in 1858 (see Ref 6 below). More research is needed.]

4. ↑ John Carpenter, in Wayne, Indiana, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M693).

   Year: 1860; Census Place: Cambridge City, Wayne, Indiana; Roll: M653_308; Page: 397; Image: 398; Family History Library Film: 803308.
   -----
   Name: John Carpenter
   Age in 1860: 20
   Birth Year: abt 1840
   Birthplace: Indiana
   Home in 1860: Cambridge City, Wayne, Indiana
   Gender: Male
   Post Office: Cambridge City
   
   Household Members: Name Age
   William Ballenger 27
   Frances Ballenger 24
   Edgar Ballenger 1
   John Carpenter 20

5. ↑ John S Carpenter, in Wayne, Indiana, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M593).

   Year: 1870; Census Place: Cambridge, Wayne, Indiana; Roll: M593_370; Page: 391B; Image: 308; Family History Library Film: 545869.
   -----
   Name: John S Carpenter
   Age in 1870: 30
   Birth Year: abt 1840
   Birthplace: Indiana
   Home in 1870: Cambridge, Wayne, Indiana
   Race: White
   Gender: Male
   Post Office: Cambridge City
   
   Household Members: Name Age
   John S Carpenter 30
   Hattie E Carpenter 24
   Ida Belle Carpenter 3/12

6. ↑ POSSIBLE MATCH: Court Case - Carpenter vs. Dame, in Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Judicature of the State of Indiana
   Vol 10, pp 126-137.

   Tuesday, May 25, May Term 1858. CARPENTER V. DAME.
   APPEAL from the Tippecanoe Circuit Court.
   PERKINS, J. - Suit to compel the specific performance of a bond for the conveyance of real estate. The bond is alleged to have been given by John Carpenter to Benjamin O. Carpenter. The suit is by the heirs of Benjamin, deceased, against John. The bond upon which it is instituted had been destroyed, and a new one executed in place of it, to the widow and heirs of Benjamin O. Carpenter. It is alleged that John Carpenter, the obligee, fraudently procured the destruction of the original bond, and substituted for it one differing in its terms. The widow of Benjamine released all her interest in the lands named in the bond to her children, the heirs. Answer and replication filed. Trial by jury, who returned a verdict as follows:
   "We, the jury, find for the plaintiffs, and assess their damages at 500 dollars; and we further find that the plaintiffs, who are heirs at law of Benjamin O. Carpenter, deceased, are entitled to a conveyance of the undivided one-third of the lands described in the complaint as lying in Tippecanoe county, Indiana.
   
   (p 128) ... The record states that the plaintiffs (the appellees), on the trial of the cause, "produced Matilda Carpenter as a witness in their behalf, who testified that she was the widow of Benjamin O. Carpenter, deceased, and the mother of the plaintiffs; and thereupon the plaintiffs offered to prove by her the contents of the lost bond on which the suite was founded, and which bond plaintiffs alleged was given by the defendent, to said Benjamin O. Carpenter, during the coverture of said Matilda ; ... [more]
   -----
   [cos1776 Note (28 Aug 2014): Not sure what to make of this yet... the John Carpenter named in the case is likely not this John Carpenter, who would have only been abt 17 years old at the time. It MAY be the same John Carpenter, b. abt 1809 in PA, who is found in the 1850 census in Fairfield, Tippecanoe, IN (Roll: M432_175; Page: 118A; Image: 240). More research needed.]

7. ↑ Military Draft Record.

   National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War); Collection Name: Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865 (Civil War Union Draft Records); ARC Identifier: 4213514; Archive Volume Number: 4 of 6.
   -----
   Jackson, Wayne County.
   8. Carpenter, John S. 22. White. Clerk. Indiana. Navy.
   9. Carpenter, Benj. O. 23. White. Stone Cutter. Ohio. Navy