The Canterbury and Long Point Carltons Genealogy

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CHAPTER 9

EDWARD (II) CARLTON (THE GENTLEMAN)

AND ANN PILCHER

1745 - 1832

PHOTOGRAPH of Edward's signature from his will of 1827

- Daniel Webster (1782-1852)

Edward was baptised on December 23rd, 1745 in Tilmanstone. He lived during the reign of George II, III and IV. The seven years war with France occurred when he was a very young man and he was 30 when the American war for independence began. He saw the English victories at the conclusion of the Napoleonic wars with France and the beginnings of the great British industrial revolution in the later years of his life.

Edward married Ann Pilcher on September 8, 1772 in Tilmanstone. Ann was baptised November 25, 1753, the daughter of Nicholas and Alice Pilcher.

Together Edward and Ann established the greatest holdings of the Carlton family in England, probably due in part to the good economic conditions existing for agriculture during the Napoleonic wars and partly due to Edward's inheritance from his father. In 1807 he inherited three acres of land from his father, John the Churchwarden, probably including St. Mary's Grove Cottage. Edward and Ann made St. Mary's Grove Cottage their home throughout their lives. Edward's holdings are shown on the 1816 Harrison Estate Map of Tilmanstone, which indicates Carlton land that includes St. Mary's Grove Cottage and St. Mary's Cottage just south of the Church.

During Edward and Ann's lifetime many changes occurred as goods began to pour into Britain as she rose to worldwide prominence. Rice became available as a new food and love apples (now known as tomatoes) were cultivated as a garden ornament rather than as a gastric delight. Late in Edward's life, the pineapple began to be available to those who were not wealthy. For the first time changes in personal habits appeared. Bathing was becoming known as well as the daily use of soap and clean underwear and clothes were no longer being considered effeminate. Of course, laboring people tend to be the last to pick up these habits, although since Edward considered himself a gentleman later in life he no doubt exhibited these modern traits.

The fact that Edward considered himself a gentleman, a rank of honor that had formerly indicated a landowner but had now come to have no connection with birth, indicates that he was able to live from the value of his land, not having to "follow his own plow." He was probably able to manage his holdings with minimal actual labor on his part and spend most of his time in handling the myriad other tasks involved in being a substantial landholder. Edward very likely established the hog butcher business that was operated from The Laurels by his son William (refer to the section THE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM (IV) CARLTON OF TILMANSTONE). Historical accounts such as this tend to fictionalize the actual lives and work of persons and it is entirely possible that this conjecturing in regard to Edward's gentlemanly title is an example. To avoid discounting or minimizing Edward's accomplishments, the possibility that he worked very hard on his holdings including establishing and operating a hog butchery and shop must be considered valid. Another interesting note is that this is the period when horses instead of oxen finally became more prominent for common work. It is possible that Edward was the first Carlton to own his own horse.

By the time of his death on September 8, 1827 at the age of 86 (which coincidentally was his 55th wedding anniversary), Edward owned the following as stated in his will:


Edward was buried September 13, 1827 in Tilmanstone. His will refers to him under the title of Gentleman. Edward's will directed that his property be held by Ann until her death, at which time his son Edward and son-in-law William Marsh were to sell everything and divide the proceeds among three of his sons (Edward, William and Charles), two of his daughters through their husbands (Ann through Charles Hidman Lucas and Jane through William Marsh), and one of his granddaughters (Mary, a spinster). Ironically, although his will specifies each person should receive a fifth part of his estate, he grants the shares to six people. Ann was buried April 24, 1832 in Tilmanstone. Edward and Ann had eight children, two of whom died in childhood: