The "well built" discussion reminds me of what may be the real important genetic factor for the Rehoboth/Providence Carpenters-that being most families having a greater number of male offspring. Now don't think I'm trying to lessen the importance of female Carpenters! The old discussion of the Norman origins of the Carpenters comes into play here. Long has it been recognized that the Normans had a genetic quirk which produced unusual numbers of men. Families would fill up with too many males to share property and wealth, with the result that the excess males had to seek their fortunes abroad. The most celebrated example of this was the DeHautville brothers who rode off to Sicily and took the place over. They were Norman nobodys, who in a decade of time, created their own kingdom in Italy. I have heard it said that the reason for the creation of Normandy itself was an excess of males from the land of origin. Likewise such a case can be made for conquest of England by King William. Another element in the drama was the Norman's love for religious institutions, which were good places to place excess sons. The third element was their genius at business, and this is where the Carpenter orgins are too be found; sons that traveled the know trade routes and created a network of capital connections for imports and exports. Take a look at Amos Carpenter's book and see if you come to the same conclusion.Keep in mind there is always a greater number of female offspring in general society, yet the Carpenters are male makers. Of course the first American Carpenters were Alice and her sisters. But why did the Williams make the trip? Was it entirely religion, or was it another case of lesser sons of lesser sons hungry for better pasture? Carpenters, a genetic super family? Finally, a word about the genes of the DeMelun family. Open your phone book and try to find one. Good luck. Genetically they were a flop, a bunch of Frankish lesser-aristocrats who produced one infamous Jew killer, and are now extinct or nearly so. Sincerely, Professor Carpenter