The Canterbury and Long Point Carltons Genealogy

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CHAPTER 7

EDWARD (I) CARLTON (THE CORDWAINER)

AND DOROTHY COURT

1674 - 1734

PHOTOGRAPH of Edward's signature from his will

- Friedrich Nietzsche (1878)

Edward was baptised March 10, 1674 in Tilmanstone. He married Dorothy Court at Elmstead on October 13, 1698. They lived in Tilmanstone and we surmise that they were relatively poor but well respected. In his will of 1734 Edward referred to himself as a cordwainer (shoemaker). In this era nearly all villagers worked for the estates of the area and the occupation of cordwainer was probably what is known as a "cottage industry" in that it was not a full time job, but was performed upon need. However, the possibility that Edward was the estate cordwainer cannot be ruled out.

Edward and Dorothy could very well have lived in St. Mary's Cottage, which may have been the Carlton residence from as early as 1664 when Edward's parents, William and Mary had arrived in the village. The cottage dated from the 14th century and remained standing until a strong wind collapsed it on the night of April 5-6, 1972 (when it was known in the village as Schoolteacher's Cottage, after the last inhabitant). It consisted of two rooms, timber framed with a thatch roof and an open hearth that vented through a hole in the roof. Edward and Dorothy's household furnishings would no doubt have been considered very crude by modern standards, having changed little in the century since John Charlton's will inventory of 1571. An oaken dining table (probably still consisting of planks and trestles) with stools or benches was ordinary but a chair was still comparatively rare. Chests rather than cupboards were used for storing clothes and household goods. The main improvement in household living conditions was the use of trundle beds with feather or flock mattresses, a major change from the straw pallets of their grandparents. Food was eaten from pewter plates with wooden spoons. Fires were made from wood, although coal might have been locally available at this time. Rush lights or candles remained the only source of light and toilet facilities were still just pits in the ground.

Edward and Dorothy saw many sovereigns come and go during their lifetime, including Charles II, James II, William III Of Orange and Mary, Queen Anne, and the election of George I and George II. Before Edward was 40 his country was invaded by William of Orange and then fought and won a long war with France between 1689 and 1713. It is unlikely that the conflicts had much effect on the Carltons, although the long peace that was maintained from 1714 on by Walpole, the first Prime Minister, probably made life more prosperous than in the past. After the turn of the century there were fewer swords worn in public as first large staffs, and then the smaller walking sticks of today began to appear.

Dorothy was buried in Tilmanstone on September 25, 1728 just ten days after her seven year old daughter of the same name. No doubt they both died from the same disease. On 18 October 1731 Edward was mentioned in the precis of a deed regarding premises and land in Tilmanstone from William Rickesies of the town and port of Sandwich, merchant to John Paramor of Eastry, Kent, gentleman. The document (which was purchased for £12 by Rick Carlton from the Golden Hind Bookshop in Deal on July 31, 1995) reads "two messuages and tenements belonging and appertaining by estimation 2 acres in the parish of Tilmanstone in the tenure or occupation of Edward Carleton and William Dawkins." This simply records that Edward was living on a parcel of land of about 2 acres in Tilmanstone, with or next door to William Dawkins 3 years after the death of his wife and daughter.

Edward lived three years longer. He was buried in Tilmanstone on July 11, 1734 at the age of 60. In his will (which had been drawn up only five days before he died) he stated his condition as ". . . being weak in body but of sound and perfect Mind and Memory . . ." He left ". . . everything . . . I am possessed of . . ." to his son John, with the stipulation that £10 be paid to his son William (of Whitford) and £5 to his grandson Edward Pilcher. He also specified that "my wearing Apparrel both Linnen and Wollen . . . be equally divided between my son William and my son John . . ." (See the appendix of wills for details.) Edward and Dorothy had six children, only three of whom survived to adulthood (the highest child mortality rate of the direct line):