John Carman biography

John Carman

The Carman family has been fairly prominent in the United States starting with John Carman who emigrated from Hampshire, England 4 Jul 1631. Carmans fought on both sides in the revolutionary war. Some of them migrated to Canada as a result of being on the "wrong side" in the war. A Carman became the governor of Maryland -- although you will not find him listed in the history books under the surname of Carman. Charles Carman (1762-1829) was a general in the militia during the American Revolution. In 1872, he married Priscilla Hill Ridgely. In 1815, he became the governor of Maryland. Prior to that according to "The Compendium of American Genealogy": ...by act of Legislature, 1790, changed his name, becoming Charles Carman Ridgely, to inherit a fortune. Jacob C. Carman owned the tavern in Sangamo Town, Illinois when Lincoln first came to Sangamon County in 1831. It was in this tavern that Lincoln loaned his hat to a magician for the egg trick. Waters Carman (the books that contain the story misspell it as Walter) was one of the three men that Lincoln saved from drowning in the Sangamon River. Caleb Carman and Lincoln were associated during Lincoln's days in New Salem, Illinois.

As a result of the family prominence, there is a lot of material that is available in a number of genealogical publications as well as in public records. Following are excerpts from some of the genealogical publications in regards to John Carman, the emigrant.

"Genealogical Guide to The Early Settlers of America" page 78;

...of Roxbury, Mass, came to New England in 1631, probably with Eliot in the 'Lion'. By wife Florence, he had John 1633, Abigail 1635, Caleb 1639. He removed to Long Island and was that patentee of Hempstead whose son Caleb, born there Jan 9 1646 was blind from birth, the first child born there of European parents.

"Genealogical Dictionary of New England" page 335;

...Roxbury, came 1631, probably with Eliot in the Lion; by wife Florence had John, born 8 July 1633; Abigail, 1635; and Caleb, 6 Aug 1639 who died young; removed to Long Island and was that patentee of Hempstead whose son Caleb born there 9 Jan 1646, was blind from birth, the first child there born of European parents.

"Refugees of 1776 from Long Island to Connecticut" page 287;

Came to Lynn Mass in 1631; thence to Sandwich, Mass; thence to Stamford, Conn, in 1641; thence to Hempstead, L.I. in 1644. He married Florence and had John, Caleb (b in 1645 d in 1646), Mary (married John Wood), Adam, Joshua, and Caleb. John 2 b in 1633 m Hannah___; d in 1684. His son John 3 m Hannah Seaman and d before 1759.

"Long Island Genealogies" page 164-166;

In 1641, John Carman was at Stamford, Conn, removed to Hempstead in 1644. 'Hempstead was bought of the natives in 1643 by Rev Robert Fordham and Mr. John Carman.' As it was under Dutch jurisdiction, they also obtained a patent from Governor Kerft in 1644. John Carman died about 1658.

"The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy" page 507;

...from England in the 'Lion' 1631, married in England 1631 Florence, daughter of Robert Fordham.

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