Group 40 of the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project was established in 2021. Three descendants were Y-DNA tested and two matched genetically. One did not match genetically was likely due to a Non-Paternity Event (NPE).
A grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter
(1920-1966) was Y-DNA tested for 111 markers (Y-STRs)
but was not matched genetically to another Carpenter, a claimed
cousin and descendant of Asa S. Carpenter (1808-1863). This
Carpenter family is also documented in the Carpenter Cousins Project
(CarpenterCousins).
After careful review of the cited original records, the paternal lineage of the tested grandson of Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966) has been updated and posted in 2024 in support of the Y-DNA test results.
As detailed in the following links, the paternal lineage Mervin Ray Carpenter’s grandson has been proven back to his 3rd great-grandfather Asa S. Carpenter (1808-1863). While the names of his parents are not documented, index of the military muster rolls of his service in the Civil War records that Asa S. Carpenter was born in Springfield, New Hampshire.
The paternal lineage Mervin Ray Carpenter’s grandson has been proven back to his 3rd great-grandfather Asa S. Carpenter (1808-1863). While the names of his parents are not documented, index of the military muster rolls of his service in the Civil War records that Asa S. Carpenter was born in Springfield, New Hampshire.1
Father: Thomas Ray Carpenter (1942-1973);
Grandfather: Mervin Ray Carpenter (1920-1966);
Great-grandfather: George Thomas Carpenter (1885-1924);
2nd Great-grandfather: Henry Austin Carpenter (1842-1895);
3rd Great-Grandfather: Asa S. Carpenter (abt1808-1863);
As detailed in “Discovering the father of Asa S. Carpenter”, the closest Y-DNA matches to this descendant identified in the initial test indicated a shared common male ancestor with descendants of Nicolas Cady who had settled in Watertown (Massachusetts) sometime prior to 1645. Subsequently, a second proven descendant of Asa S. Carpenter was tested and matched all 111 markers (STRs) with Mervin Ray Carpenter’s grandson; confirming George Thomas Carpenter (1885-1924) was their common male ancestor. As detailed in in “Update-Search for relatives of Asa S. Carpenter”, the initial Y-DNA test was upgraded to the Big Y-700 in 2024 and matched to Haplogroup I-FTE14223 along with another descendant of Nicolas Cady. With a 95% probability the common male Cady ancestor was born sometime between 1645 and 1781, the adoption of the Carpenter surname most assuredly took place at least one generation (likely more) prior to the birth of Asa S. Carpenter.
At the time Asa S. Carpenter was estimated to have been born (about 1808), Springfield township was in Cheshire County (New Hampshire) on the border with neighboring Grafton County. While historical records identify several Carpenter families living in the counties of Cheshire and Grafton (New Hampshire) during this between 1800 and 1810, the child born with a Carpenter surname recorded in Springfield during this timeframe was “Charles Carpenter Now living with Israel Smith” born on October 18, 1805 (no parents were reported). This appears to have been Charles W. Carpenter who would report that he had been born in Springfield township (New Hampshire); and that his parents were “Comfort and Carterett Carpenter.” Comfort Carpenter and his wife Cartert (Caroline?) Collins were married on the same day (May 17, 1792) their son Moses Collins Carpenter was born in Salisbury (New Hampshire).2
If the Y-DNA of a male descendant of Charles W. Carpenter or his brother Moses Collins Carpenter was tested, it would be possible to determine if Comfort Carpenter was the father of Asa S. Carpenter. Similar confirmation could be reached by testing a male descendant of the other male children (Timothy C. Carpenter [1794-1832], Chester C. Carpenter [1796-1830] & Jonathan Carpenter [1803-?]) that have been linked to Comfort Carpenter and his wife Cartert Collins. In addition, the testing of male descendants of the men listed below would clarify their relationship (if any) with Asa S. Carpenter.
Ephraim Carpenter: Born prior to 1755; was living with family in Springfield (New Hampshire) in 1800.
Eliphlet Carpenter: Born prior to 1755; was living with family in Keene (New Hampshire) in 1800.
Benjamin Carpenter: Born in Waterboro (Maine) in 1767; married Hannah Lathers in Barrington (New Hampshire) on June 17, 1787; children thought to include Samuel Carpenter (1787-?), Abigail Carpenter (1789-?), Thomas Carpenter (abt1790-?), John Carpenter (1791-?), Mittam Carpenter (abt1792-?), Nancy Carpenter (1793-?), & Isaac Carpenter (1796-?).
Thomas Carpenter: Born in New Hampshire 1796/1797; married Sarah Ransburg (1804-?); children reported to include William H. Carpenter (1830-1868) and his brother Thomas J. Carpenter (1843-1905).
Lewis Carpenter: Born in Cheshire County (New Hampshire) on June 25, 1808; and his parents have been reported to be Charles Carpenter (1761-1845) and Sarah Thompson (1762-1849).
1Citations provided in “Family of Asa S. Carpenter”.
2Citations provided in “Update-Search for relatives of Asa S. Carpenter”.