Robert CARTER JP ^1,696,713

   Cause of his death was After a long illness (undefined).

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military: Said to have been on board a vessel with Rodney, later the Governor of Newfoundland, Cir 1737, England. ¹⁴⁷⁶ From https://www.heritage.nf.ca/:

Rodney, George Brydges (1719-1792)
Governor, 1749
Governor George Brydges Rodney (1719-1792)
George Brydges Rodney was born in Walton-on-Thames, England in 1719. He volunteered in the Royal Navy in 1732 as a king's letter boy on the Sunderland. In 1738, Rodney first came to Newfoundland as a junior officer. His ship spent two months visiting coastal settlements and settling fishery disputes. The following year he was promoted lieutenant and in 1742, captain of the Plymouth.

In 1748, Rodney was appointed to the Rainbow as governor of Newfoundland. His term as governor was only for the 1749 season, however, he remained in Newfoundland for three years. Rodney was known as a just governor. He prevented a Harbour Grace planter from lowering his employees' wages during an unprosperous year, and intervened when local magistrates tried to protect a man who abused his servants.

Rodney continued his naval career after his term as governor. He was promoted Rear-Admiral in 1759, commander-in-chief in the West Indies in 1761, and Vice-Admiral in 1762. He became a baronet in 1764. He was promoted Vice-Admiral of Great Britain in 1781, and in June 1782, created a peer as Baron Rodney of Stoke-Rodney. He died in London on 23 May, 1792.

2. Immigration: From Sidmouth, Devonshire, England by his own account, 1742, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ⁴²⁸ In his support of Matthew Morry's petition for a grant to occupy a ship's room in Caplin Bay in 1784, Robert Carter testifies that this spot of land has not been occupied in his 42 years in the country. This implies he came to the country in 1742, at least on a seasonal basis. Permanent emigration seems to have occurred a few years later but before 1750. Gerald Pocius's Book - "A Place to Belong" quotes Robert as saying he came over in 1749 so this must be the year he moved permanently with his family.

3. Occupation: Merchant, Between 1742 and 1800, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ⁸⁶⁹

4. Occupation: Justice of the Peace - Surrogate, After 1749, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁷⁷

5. Occupation: Justice Of The Peace - Surrogate, Between 1750 and 1751, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ⁷¹⁴

6. Court: Petitition from Robert Carter for Grant of Land - Point of Beach, 27 Aug 1750, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁷⁸

7. Interesting: Suffered the loss of a son and all his house, stores and goods in fire, Jan 1757, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁷⁹

8. Military: Robert Carter and his wife Anne were largely responsible for saving Ferryland from the French, 1762, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁸⁰ Seven Years War

9. Property: 60 feet of ground adjacent to Nason's property on the Pool, 15 Oct 1773, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁸¹ Number 4, Vol. 1, Page 115 Number 5, Vol. 5, Page 193 and Vol. 6, Page 164 Robert Carter's petition on record 60 feet of Ground granted him alongside Nason's property in Pool. 1750 to 1753 to 1776

AND

Vol. 5, Page 193 Robert Carter Grandfather of the present Messieurs Carters of Ferryland and St. John's admits Mr. Nason's property in Pool 1773 and was his tenant in 1763 as appears on the records in Page 2 and this also. By His Excellencies Command, Governor Shouldam, Commander in Chief over the Island of Newfoundland and its dependancies etc. It has been represented to me by James Holley Jones, my Surrogate that Mr. Robert Carter, Merchant of Ferryland intends building a stage 60 feet in length front of Admiral's Beech at the Eastern side of the Pool of Ferryland if he can be secured in the possession thereof to his use and benefit and its also represented by my Surrogate that the stage when built is no wise injurious to said beech or to the Priviledge of fishing ships as its been from high water mark out in the water adjoining the plantation belonging to Mr. Richard Nason. The said Robert Carter is hereby authorized to build said stage not exceeding more than 60 feet in length provided same don't obstruct the ships fishery coming up with their boats to said beech and said stage as he shall build he shall enjoy to his own use and benefit without molestation, let or hindrance from any persons whatever so long as he uses the same to the advantage of the fishery. Given under my hand and seal in St. John's 15 th of October, 1773 M. Shouldam By his Excellencies command Edward Bragg

10. Property: Property possessed and used for long time on Northside, 22 Jul 1776, Aquaforte, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁸²

11. Property: Reconfirmation of right to 60 feet on the beech at the Pool, 15 Oct 1776, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Vol. 6, Page 164 This grant to Mr. Robert Carter, Grandfather of present Messieurs Carters of Ferryland and St. John's is the same as above noted. The only record that appears to them or either of them for property in Ferryland though said parties claim the chief part of Ferryland as their property. It appears on record that Governor Shouldam did on the 15 th October 1773 grant unto Robert Carter, Esq., Merchant of Ferryland, the priviledge of erecting a stage on eastern side of Pool.Its also represented in consequence of said grant built the stage as above. Mentioned employed same to his own use and benefit least any Interruption may be given him in the enjoyment thereof. Prays my confirmation and security to be kept on said premises to his own use and emolument. I do confirm the Grant of Governor Shouldam to Robert Carter, Esq. in erecting said stage on the eastern side of Pool provided same don't exceed more than 60 feet on the ground fronting said beech and command all persons not to give said Robert Carter any obstructions , let or hindrances in the quiet and peaceable enjoyment thereof as they will answer to the contrary. Given under my hand this 15 th day October, 1776 J. Montagu By His Excellencies Command, Robert Atkinson

12. Property: Lease of various spots of unoccupied ground in Ferryland, 14 Apr 1787, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁸³ This is an indenture between Robert Carter and Stephen Moore, the Surgeon in Ferryland. The latter had purchased some unoccupied pieces of land from Thomas White, the executor of the estate of his brother, John White, who had been granted these lands by Capt. John Knight, Commander of HMS Saltash in 1749. The document shows that Carter kept up his rent payments annually right up to the month that he died in October 1900. It is not clear if his son William Carter, a major land owner, continued the arrangement after that.

Note that it is quite likely that these properties are the ones referred to in Kevin Reddigan's summary on NGB website of the Crown Lands Grants - Ferryland District (1748-1926):

White Johnnear Burrying (sic) Ground and path to Gays" (sic) 174908-Sep Ferryland Court

It is also summarised by Ray Curran under Ferryland - District Court Actions Late 1700s to Early 1800s:

September 8, 1749White, JohnGranted land near Burrying Ground and path to Gays (Gaze)

However, nowhere have I been able to find an actual copy of that original grant if it still exists.

That said, I did find this additional reference to the same piece or pieces of ground in Ray Curran's summary:

April 13, 1787Moor, StephenCame forward with document proving he had been granted piece of land in 1749 that was now being granted to: Whelan, James

It seems likely that the court action in 1787 was intended to allow the rental of these properties by Carter without interference by James Whelan.

So the document did exist and was presented to the court as recently as 1787 though it may have been lost since then.

13. Census: Household of Robert and Ann Carter, 1800, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ⁷⁰⁹ Including daughter, Ann Carter Sweetland (widow) and her son Benjamin Sweetland, aged 11.

14. Occupation: Fish Merchant, 1800, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ³⁰⁷ From "A Study of the Settlement of Ferryland" by Sister Esther Moore at the MHA we learn that Robert had 3 Three Hand Skiffs, 1 Two Hand Skiff, 11 Fishermen and 4 Landsmen in 1800.

15. Appointment: JP, Keeper of the Rolls and Surrogate of the Southern District, Bef 18 Oct 1800, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ¹⁴⁸⁴

16. Alt. Death, After 1800, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ⁷⁰⁹

17. Court: List of Grand Jurors in SDC, 11-12 Oct 1859, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ³⁰⁵ List of Grand Jurors Summoned to attend the Honourable the Southern Circuit Court, Ferryland, the 12th day of October 1859

Foreman, 1. Arthur O'B Carter - Caplin Bay
2. Robert Morry - Caplin Bay
3. Arthur Morry - Ferryland
4. Robert Carter - Ferryland
5. Henry Morry - Ferryland
6. John White - Ferryland
7. Thomas Norris - Ferryland
8. William Carter - Ferryland
9. James Carter - Ferryland
10. Dan Jennings - Aquaforte
11. Dan Henry Winser [sic] - Aquaforte
x Peter Winser [sic] - Aquaforte
12. Edward Cosgrove - Aquaforte
13. John Neil - Fermeuse
x Owen Neil - Fermeuse
14. Henry Neil - Fermeuse
x James Neil - Fermeuse
15. Richard Cashin - Cape Broyle
16. Martin Cashin - Cape Broyle
17. John Morry - [no address given]

Ferryland, October 11, 1859
Thos. [?] Stephenson, Sherifff
Entered G. S.

This event was shared from Arthur Hunt O'Brien CARTER who also shared it with Benjamin Sweetland MORRY (Juror), Capt. Arthur Kemp MORRY (Juror), Capt. Daniel Henry WINSOR (Juror), Capt. Hon. Peter Ford WINSOR JP MHA (Juror), Dan JENNINGS (Juror), Henry Sweetland MORRY (Juror), James Howe CARTER (Juror), John Henry MORRY (Juror), John William WHITE (Juror), Martin CASHIN (Juror), Richard CASHIN (Juror), and William Thomas Skinner CARTER (Juror).

Robert married Ann WYLLY, daughter of Alexander WYLLY and Miriam SLOAN. (Ann WYLLY was born before 24 Feb 1718/19 in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland ⁸⁷⁰, christened on 24 Feb 1718/19 in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland ⁷⁸⁰ and died after 1800 in Sidmouth, Devon, England ⁷⁰⁹.)