John Carpenter (town Clerk) - Early Life & Ancestry

Early Life & Ancestry

Thomas Brewer in his 1856 book on John Carpenter found no significant record of his life until his election as the Town Clerk or Common Clerk of the City of London on April 20, 1417, at about age 45. The exemption mentioned on page 14 suggests that John Carpenter had been in the City of London's service "from the time of his youth." It is assumed that he was apprenticed to John Marchaunt, his predecessor as Town Clerk. Based on Liber Albus (see below) and other works, he was familiar with the law.

Genealogical efforts have revealed a baptismal date of 18 Dec 1378 Hereford Cathedral, Hereford, England, but he was probably born earlier, with about 1372 being generally accepted. His father is listed as Richard Carpenter and his mother as Christina.

His father, Richard or Renaud Carpenter, is believed to have been born about 1335–1337 in or of Grand Pont, Cambrai, France. He may have been alive as late as 1412 in London. He married Christina, last name unknown, who was of London. Their known children:

• John Carpenter, the elder, born circa 1362. The father of John Carpenter (bishop). His baptismal date of 20 Sept 1371 in Battlesden has not been confirmed and is probably wrong. His death date not known.
• Robert Carpenter, born circa 1368, of London. His brother's will indicates that he had a son named Richard and two daughters named Joan and Katherine.
• John Carpenter, the younger - the subject of this article.

His grandfather John or Jean Le Carpenter or Carpentier was born about 1303 of Le Grand Pont and died after 1345 in Dilwyne, Herefordshire, England. He married Jeanne Tabarie, who was born circa 1310 near Cambrai. His parents are disputed and are not listed in this article.