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JOHN CARVER Son of
Robert Carver and Christian Turner
March 2, 2017
We have been researching the Carver family in North America for over 45 years, especially the ancestors and descendants of Elihu Carver, born on January 6,1777, in Canterbury, Connecticut.
Recently we began compiling the records that we have collected over the years and discovered a number of original supporting records on the internet that we will scan into the web site, FamilySearch.org. We also found many "researchers" that offer information (correct and Incorrect) with vague or no sources. This information is then picked up by other "researchers" and passed along as "fact." Others seem to have made up information. An example is where someone gave the exact date of birth for John Carver as "June 23,1637" in Duxbury, Massachusetts. After searching all the various vital records of the early New England states, we could find NO birth / baptism for our John Carver.
Then I realized that someone took his death date from the Marshfield, Massachusetts Town Vital records that states "John Carver, Sr., age 42, died (actually buried) June 23,1679." They subtracted exactly 42 years form his death date and concluded that was his birth date also! That happening is extremely remote, especially using the source of his death date that we are using. From this record, we can conclude John Carver was born ABOUT 1637, and his place of birth was NOT listed. With this, we know our John Carver was born ABOUT the year 1637. His year of birth could very well be 1636, depending on the month he was actually born.
So where and when was he born? Vital records in the New England states go well before the year 1636, but no one has found a record of his birth anywhere in North America. This brings up the possibility that our John Carver was born in England! Then in 2014 our good folks at FamilySearch.org published on their site "John Carver, christened 23 December 1636, son of Robert and Christian Carver." This baptism took place at St. Mary's Anglican Church, Whitechapel, Stepney, London, England. Because the baptism took place in December 1636,1 suspect he was probably born earlier in 1636.
Again, thanks to the folks at FamilySearch.org, in 2014 they published the marriage of "Roberte Carver to Christian Turner, in 1617." This marriage took place at Lydiard-Millecent Parish, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England. Again, no one has ever found the marriage record for Robert Carver to Christian Turner in North America. Another researcher has determined their actual date of marriage was on August 4,1617.
The only issue we have with the above two records is Robert and Christian Carver married in England in 1617 and their only known son, John Carver, was born in England in 1636. Note that they were married 19 years before having their first child. While possible, it does raise a "red flag." Some researchers list other children born to Robert and Christian Carver, in England and in America, but offer little evidence. While very possible, original documentation will be necessary.
Based on other serious researchers, we know the first record of our Robert Carver in North America was on September 3,1638, where he was given a land grant of 20 acres in what is now Duxbury,


Carver John-Carver---Son-of-Robert-Carver-and-Christian-Turner-1
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