Edwin J Carter

My thoughts: Is his mother really Jane Ash?  I haven't found a record for it yet.  John Carter did marry a Jane Ash in 1807, but there was more than one John.  There is also a John and Hannah that had children around the same time and in Devonshire.  

Could Edwin have been named Edward?  There is a record for an Edward Carter in 1811 to John and Hannah. 

Or could he have been named John Edwin and went by Edwin?  There is a record for a John Carter born in 1808 in Tiverton, Devonshire (the family was in this area).  The parents listed here are John Carter and Jane. 

I find records for several children being born to John Carter and Jane.  These are all in Tiverton, Devonshire, England. 

William b. 29 Oct 1804 c. 10 Feb 1805
Mary c. 16 Nov 1806 
John. c. 28 Sept 1808
Susan c. 27 Mar 1811


Edwin J Carter was born about 1811 in Devonshire, England to John Carter (b. 1779 in Launceston, Devonshire, England) and Jane Ash (b. 1782 Launceston, Devonshire, England).

We are unsure of his exact location of birth.  Family histories have told us he was born in the White Church Parish near Tavistock, but according to a note on FamilySearch someone contacted a Vicar in Which Church who said there were no Carters listed (15 August 1949). 

We know that his parents were married in 1807 in St. Mary, Lawnceston, Cornwall.  When did the family move to Devonshire?

There are 4 years from the time John and Jane got married to when Edwin (supposedly the first child was born).  Are there more children?  Did Jane lose children?

 His sister Helen was born in 1814 in Walkhampton, Devonshire and later baptized in 1822 in Tavistock, Devonshire. In a Methodist church. 

Maybe he was never baptized into Anglican church or Methodist church.  His sister was 8 when she was baptized into the Methodist church.

There is also family history of Edwin having a sister named Jane born around 1821.  I cannot find a record for her either. 

Edwin married Mary Ann Stockdale 18 April, 1831 in East Stonehouse, Devonshire, England. 

Parish Records of East Stonehouse, Devon, England - Devon Record OfficeNotes
East Stonehouse parish registers by correspondence pg. 498"Marriages solemnized in the Parish of East Stonehouse in the County of Devon in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty oneEdwin Carter of this Parish, Labourer and Mary Ann Stockdale of this Parish were married in this chapel by banns this eighteenth Day of April in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty One By me Edward Greaves CurateThis Marriage was solemnized between us - Edwin Carter, his mark Mary Ann Stockdale, her markIn the Presence of Wm. Stockdale, John Lam..eux, clk


England Death Records - St. Catherine's House
Death Entry of Edwin Carter
Registration District - Charles the Martyr, 1841, in the County of Devon
No. 42
when and where died - Tenth of June 1841, Prince Rock, Parish of Charles the Martyr
Name and surname - Edwin Carter
Sex - Male Age - 30 years
Occupation - Quarryman
Cause of death - Accidentally killed
Informant - R. Squire, Coroner When registered - Eleventh of June 1841

He died 10 June 1841 in an accident at the Prince Rock Quarry in Plymouth, Devonshire.  

From the Plymouth Devenport & Stonehouse Herald  12 June 1841 had an account of the inquest in Edwin Carter's death.  It reads:

FATAL ACCIDENT - An Inquest was held, on Thursday evening last, at Prince Rock, near Laira Bridge, by Mr. R.J. Squire, Coroner, on the body of Edwin Carter, a labourer in the quarries of that place. The deceased was at work in the quarries on the above day, and was precipitated, by a sudden giving way of stones and loose earth, a very great depth, to the foot of the rocks. Assistance was immediately rendered, but the injuries sustained by the unfortunate man in his fall were of such a nature as to cause immediate death. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death". Two other men, who were working near Carter at the time also lost their footing from the same cause, and, we regret to hear, were taken up so much injured as to render their recovery doubtful.