Dear Bruce, Thank you for the bits and pieces. Your opinion has been noted. Ironically it is the same conclusion that those 19th century researchers forwarded. The Carpenters came from the Du Nord region of France (Netherlands, etc.). I am glad to see a consensus of opinion. Please keep those jewels of data coming in. Every piece helps with the Carpenter Family puzzle. Sincerely, John R. Carpenter La Mesa, CA USA Bruce E. Carpenter wrote: > > Let me restate my case in stark terms. The problem of the origins of the > London Carpenter family and Town Clerk John has come to an end. That line of > Carpenters originates with Flemish or French merchants, who were active in > England in the late 1200s. Richard Carpenter ‘chaundeler’, a probable > outfitter of ships, lived on Fleetstreet along the Thames River. > Likewise did Edward Carpenter (Charpenter) a wealthy wine importer and > likely wool exporter. Only such a rich mercantile family could have gained > the London Town Clerkship and subsequently financed the English crown > itself. The evidence presented would suffice in any historical academic > paper at Harvard or Yale. Finally, this evidence underlines the assertion of > the 17th century historian Jean le Carpentier that the English Carpenters > with arms originated in Flanders of the late 1200s. > > Sincerely, > Bruce E. Carpenter > professor