Carman Data Collected by Edith Carman Hay

John Carman (1)

John Carman came to Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 23 mi. from London, in ship Lyon, with John Elliot, Rev. Robert Fordham, and other friends and neighbors, to Mass. Bay, (New Plymouth). Took the oath of Freeman, at Boston, Mass., in 1632. He was one of the Deputies to the General Court held at Boston, Mass., 1637. He settled first at Roxbury, Mass.

From record of Rev. John Elliot's ---- Church members of Roxbury. ----- John Carman; he came to New England in the year 1631; he brought no children; his first born, John, born the 8^th of the 5^th month 1633; Abigail, -----; Caleb, b. 1639 (This Caleb died young.)

In 1636, John Carman was living in Lynn; in 1637 at Sandwich, after that at Stamford, from whence he went to L.I., and was of the original grantees of Hempstead. This grant is described as running from the East River to the South Sea, including the Great Plains, & c. There is still in the possession of the descendants the original (or copy) of an old deed, dated 1643, in which John Carman and Robert Fordham, brothers-in-law, buy of four tribes of Indians, signed with their mark, the Southern half of the Township of Hempstead. This contract was ratified by the Dutch Colonial Governor, Kieft. Early long Island, Flint p.131. Patent by Kieft --- "liberal patent to Stamford Colonists, made out to John Carman, Robert Fordham, Jonas Wood.

John Carman married, in England, Florence Fordham, d. Rev. Robert Fordham; Children;

John, born July 8, 1633, in Roxbury, Mass. Married Hannah Seaman, daughter John Seaman. He died in 1684.

Abigail, born July 5, 1635; married Benjamin Coe.

Caleb, born August 6, 1639. Died young.

Caleb, born January 9, 1645-6. Married Elizabeth (Seaman?). died in 1693.

Joshua, born ----------, died --------------.

This second Caleb was the first white child born in Hempstead, and Savage (Genealogical Dictionary) started the legend that Caleb was born blind; his record would seem to make this impossible; whereas John's (2) will indicates that the Youngest child had some disability which made him dependant on the care of others. This was Joshua.

After John's death, in 1653, Florence his widow married John Hicks. She died in 1658.

Caleb Carman (2)

The second and third generations of Carmans are very difficult to trace. Largely owing to the fact that, beginning with the first John, every head of family named his first son John, his second Caleb, and then Joshuas and Josephs ad lib. It would seem that our ancestor must be Caleb (2), John (1), born Jan. 9, 1645; the first white child born on Long Island.

Mr. Townsend Carman, a direct descendant of John (1), says that Caleb (2) married a daughter of John Seaman, a sister of the wife of John (2), Hannah Seaman. This statement is also made in the Seaman Genealogy, but neither of them give any proof of this statement. We know that Caleb's wife was Elizabeth, and according to Mr. Stillman, some, if not all of their children were born in Hempstead. They were married about 1668.

Children; John, --- Caleb, --- Elizabeth, --- Joshua, James, born 1677, Daniel.

There are many references in the History of Cape May County to Carmans, many of them to John and Caleb, who may frequently have been the sons of John (2) or of Caleb (2), and our Caleb can only be distinguished when his age is evident. In "South Jersey, A History" Dr. Maurice Beasley claims that was appointed Justice of the Peace by a Legislature in session in 1685. Benedict's History of the Baptist Church in Cranbury states that James (3) was the son of the first J.P. of Cape May Co., "because Caleb was appointed J.P. in 1685." History of Cape May Co., p.30.

Burlington Court, 4, 7^th month 1685. Caleb Carman vs. Evan Davis. Burlington court held 12^th, 3^rd month, 1688; Caleb Carman and sonnes and others, for taking, breaking up, and disposing of Dubartus whales on this shore, contrary to law. Caleb Carman pleads "not guilty", and Jury finds "not guilty". P.32. Caleb Carman and sons seize a sloop "vi et armis", and claimed half the cargo for saving the ship; no trial.

The non-cupative will of Caleb Carman was filed at Cape May, August 16, 1693. On same date Elizabeth Carman, administratrix of the goods and chattels of Caleb Carman, Sr. her late husband, had letters of administration thereof, having given bonds to administer, and having attested that her late husband died intestate, except only a declaration by him made, which was given into court; and having given in an inventory of the estate into the office, and to give in a true account to the Registrar's Office at Burlington of all and other goods late of, and belonging to, her said husband at the time of his decease; which inventory, bond, and declaration are in the Registrar's office. (N.J. Colonial Documents, Calendar of Wills, p.82). Will was dated July 7, 1693; inventory of the Estate 73-3, of which 10 stands for a building in the town; sons mentioned.

James (3), Caleb (2), John (1)

Father of Caleb (4), and Phebe (Carman) LaRue. He was born about 1677, died Oct. 21, married 1^st Margaret DuWys. Children: Elizabeth, Caleb, John, Phebe, James, Ruth and Margaret; probably not in given order. Married 2^nd; Sarah Frazier - children - Rachel, Ephriam and Samuel. These children formed alliances with Woods, Biels, LaRues, Princes and Simmons Families.

Authorities, - One hundred Fifty Years a Baptist Church, by Emily C. Ellis; -- History Baptist Church in Cranbury, Benedict. James Carman was born in Cape May Co., N.J., and embraced various forms of religion, until he finally settled down with the Baptists.

History of the Baptists in New Jersey, Griffiths, page 113. "Nov. 1^st 1745, to settle the Baptists there in Church order, one of the constituents was James Carman, a Licentiate of Middletown Church. The organization of the church was probably due to him, he having been "licensed to preach" among that branch of the Middletown Church which resided at Cranbury. On the next Lord's Day, Nov. 3, 1745, Mr. Carman was ordained for the pastorate of the new church. At this time, he was 67 years old, a time of life in which men are considering retiring from public life. Pastor Carman was a remarkable man. Like the early time pastors, he was a missionary pastor, --- three or four sermons a week, --40 or more miles to an appointment did not content him; now in Hunterdon County, now in New York City, were chosen opportunities to do "what he could". When 74 years old he was appointed preacher at the Philadelphia Association.

Rev. Mr. Parkinson, pastor of the 1^st Baptist Church in New York City, preached a historical sermon at that church, Jan. 1, 1813, and say "After which ------- Rev. James Carman of Cranbury (Hightstown), visited them, and baptized until their number reached 13, when they were advised, (probably by Mr. Carman) to unite themselves to the Church at Scotch Plains, (N.J.). This was in 1753, - the eighth year of Mr. Carman's settlement, when he was at least 74 or 75. Note the wisdom of this council; -- Pastor Miller was known to care for the cause of Christ wherever his charge; Scotch Plains was the nearest accessible church; -- Mr. Carman was an old man; -- New York was at least 50 miles from his home, and he must ride all that long way on horseback on trails, and having a large field at home it needed all his time and strength. Mr. Carman's salary was so small that no mention is made of it. He probably made these journeys at his own cost; for "Christ's Sake" was the law of his life/ he died in 1756, 78 years old, having been pastor 11 years." He is buried in the old burial ground of the Cranbury Baptist Church; the records of the church show that his funeral sermon text was Psalms 116, verse 15; -- "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

It this connection, it is interesting to E.C.H. that Mr. Miller, before coming to Scotch Plains to work with Mr. Carman, was in Kingston, R.I., the home of all her Northup ancestors.

Caleb Carman (4), James (3), Caleb (2), John (1)

This Caleb was born presumably, in Cape May County, N.J., son of James (3) and Margaret DuWys. The record of his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wood, is said to be in the Baptist Church at Hightstown, N.J. He was born June 28, 1708; Children; John, ------- 1748, Benjamin ------ 1751, Elizabeth ----- 1752, Mary -----1755, Joseph ----- 1745 -- *, Joshua ----- 1759 or 60.

Caleb purchased land in Bordentown of Col. Jos. Borden, April 23, 1730, which was still in possession of the family many years later. He died July 1807. His funeral sermon was preached in the Baptist Church by the Rev. B. Allison.

James (3) brother of Caleb seems to have settled in Old Hopewell, N.J. and is mentioned by Mr. Ralph Ege, in his "Pioneers of Old Hopewell" p.59. Mr. Ege further says "The Carman family disappeared from this region nearly 150 years ago, and as far as we know not one of their descendants have since that time resided in this township; but Mr. Carman was one of the pioneers, living just across the brook from Dr. Rogers Parke, and the old records locate them both at Crosswick's Creek, near Bordentown, before coming to Hopewell. This Caleb died in 1745. Mr. Ege further says "This Caleb Carman was the Father, or perhaps the Uncle of the Caleb Carman of Bordentown who figured so conspicuously in Revolutionary History in what was known as "The Battle of the Kegs", and which was made the subject of the very humorous and popular ballad written by The Hon. Francis Hopkinson, of Bordentown, a "Signer". (See Barber's Historical Collections of New Jersey, p. 102).

The idea of the kegs was conceived by Mr. Carman, and manufactured in the cooper shop of Col. Jos. Borden. Mr. C. called to his assistance Joseph Plowman, a pinmaker, and a gunsmith named Jackaway, and they constructed a spring lock which they attached to the kegs in such a way that if they came in contact with an object, and rubbed against it, the keg would explode. The kegs were fastened together, two by two, with ropes, so if they struck the bow or stern of a vessel they would swing around on each side of it, and blow a hole through it. The kegs were filled with powder, and launched in the Delaware just below the present outlet lock of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. The kegs were submerged, but the buoys were visible. Caleb Carman, who is referred to in History as one of the patriots who never tired of serving his country, volunteered to pilot them down river to Phila. where the British war-vessels lay in mid-stream, opposite the city. He started on the evening of Jan. 6, 1778, and cut loose from the kegs the next morning, just above the city; but the vessels, which had laid in mid-stream for several weeks, had been ordered to the docks the day before, on account of ice forming around them; so the kegs floated by, and only destroyed one small barge, killing three or four men, and causing much excitement. The "Battle" is given as one of the notable events of the war. See History of Burlington County, N.J.

Woodward and Hageman. - Bordentown; A number of prominent Whigs in the town were forced to leave upon the approach of the enemy (Hessions) in 1776, fearing personal violence or imprisonment. Among these were ---- Caleb Carman, who had espoused the patriot cause with much ardor. Placing his family, cooking utensils, bedding, and some few articles of furniture in a Durham boat, he moved them to a cove on Duck Island. He built over the boat a roof of boughs thatched with reeds, and remained there until after the battle of Trenton.

During the Revolution while there was some slight Tory element, and a sprinkle of neutrals in Bordentown, the great mass of the people was strongly Whig. Among these was a most active and zealous band of patriots who never tired of serving their country and who inspired the whole neighborhood into action. Among the most prominent, who are entitled to the grateful remembrance of posterity were ---- Caleb "Carman.

Streets of Burlington in the Revolution, p.472 - On the east side of 2^nd Street, and North of the line of Graveyard Alley was Carman's tan-yard.

Joseph Carman (5)

Joseph Carman was born in Bordentown, N.J., son of Caleb (4) and Elizabeth Wood; born ------- 1745.

He went to Virginia, about 1765, doubtless following the trial of Isaac LaRue, whose wife, Phebe (Carman) LaRue was Joseph's Aunt. Joseph married in 1768, Mary LaRue, born 1746, daughter of the above Isaac LaRue and Phebe LaRue, --- his first cousin. Children; Caleb, Isaac b. March 5, 1774, James, Joshua, Mary, Phebe and Elizabeth.

In 1776 he enlisted as private in Wm. Chegan's Company, 8^th Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. Abraham Bowman. Enlisted from the State of Virginia, April 3, 1776, to serve two years, and his name is last borne on Muster Roll of members of that Regt., whose time expired before April 10, 1778. In the list of families of Frederick County, Va., for the year 1782 one made by Gregor Noble were the names of Isaac LaRue, with a household consisting of twelve whites, and six blacks, and Joseph Carman, his son-in-law, with nine whites and no blacks. I have of yet no definite information as to the removal of this family to Kentucky. Mr. Will N. Henton, who has much information viva voce from the younger generations of this family, has it that Joseph went out with his family, on a flat boat, and with some followers of George Rogers Clarke, in 1779, went down the Ohio to where Louisville now stands, landed and went 30 miles to a fort at Lynch's Station in (now) Shelby Co., Ky. Here he saw much frontier service; while out hunting winter supplies, he, with several others was killed by Indians in 1786, on a creek afterwards called Carman Creek, in (now) Henry County, Ky. If this is in the main, correct, either he made a trip to Ky. and returned for his family, or the date of his migration is incorrect. He was patentee of 1000 acres of land on Nolynn, in Hardin Co., Ky, "at an early date". His widow married John Harris.

Joshua, the pioneer preacher, born 1759-60, died December 1, 1844, was brother of Joseph. From Ky. State Historical Society, vol. 22, p.35, 1924, gives; Rev. Joshua Carman, probably native of New Jersey, and believed to be in direct descendant of John, - came from Virginia with his kinsman, the LaRues; --- p.36. 1^st settlers in Severns Valley, --- Rev. Joshua."

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The above paper appears in places to be typed in the third person, so although Mrs. Edith Carman Hay is the the source, or compiler of the information, someone else has typed it (the original being in old manual typewriter), but has not signed it. This document is part of the collection of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Library, New York City - a mandatory stop on anyone's research of Long Island.

Ancestors of Edith Carman Hay