GENERATION 12

GENERATION 11

Biography

WILLIAM CARPENTER was born in England about 1576. He came to America from Southampton, Hampshire, England, on the "Bevis", leaving Southampton in May, 1638. He was registered at Southampton, at the time of emigration as a carpenter by trade and as coming from Wherwell, but it is evident that he was a resident of London. It appears that all the family were dissenters and consequently obliged to leave the city of London for a more quiet place.

Included on the Bevis' list of 61 passengers is:

William Carpenter William Carpenter, Jr. Abigail Carpenter 4 children 10 and under Thomas Bansholt, servant

age 62 age 32 age 32   age 14

The ocean crossing in 1638 was a long journey and passengers suffered many hardships within the cramped quarters of ships which were usually less than 50 feet in length. Sleeping facilities were less than comfortable and the selection of food extremely limited. The incidence of disease and shipboard death may not have been as prevalent as on some of the voyages of the pervious 18 years, but we can be certain the trip to the New World, even in favorable weather, was not a pleasurable one for these adventuresome travelers. Their days at sea were probably fraught with anxiety even though we know they had high hopes for their future in the Colony.