Gill:
After having discovered a serious Carpenter involvement with Cinque Ports
politics, I had to reconsider what I said about 'chaundler' Richard, as I
mentioned.
Before we totally discard Fleetsreet for poor conditions in and a bit prior
to Dicken's day, please note the following from the Close Rolls of 1377.
"King Richard delivered to the bishop of St. Davids the chancellor of his
great seal for the ruling of England enclosed in a purse, first taking of
him an oath truly to perform his office, and holding him to that which
pertains thereto; and the same day in his chapel at his inn in Fleetstreet
London the chancellor opened the purse, drew out te seal, and caused divers
letters patent concerning divers officers of the realm to be there sealed."
Thus we can see the whole realm of England being ruled from Fleetstreet in
1377, at the time of a Richard Carpenter who also lived there. Great events
for a filthy ditch.
The John Carpenter seems the same individual as the John I wrote about. I
was misled in thinking he had no male hiers, but on rereading the documents
re. his brother Thomas, they were concerned with property he would inherit
from John's daughter. This did not preclude John from having male heirs. One
problem still exists. My documents mention John from Stautnon St John, while
yours have a different St John. Perhaps you could clear that up.
Sincerely,
Bruce Carpenter