BINGO!! Nicole: Your John A. Carrier born Feb 7th, 1855 made the 1903 Beers' "Commemorative Biographical Record of Middlesex County." You will have to send me your snail mail so I can photocopy it all and send it to you- but here are some snippets: (I swear I am not laughing!!) Clearing throat..hmm..xxxccc... ok : "The Carrier family is of Welsh origin, tracing its lineage back to one Thomas Carrier, who was born in Wales about the year 1629. He was a man of enormous height-tradition says that he stood seven feet, four inches- with other physical proportions correspondingly developed." (This is word for word!!!) Fast forward: "Johgn A. Carrier was born in Middle Haddam February 7, 1855, and was educated in the common schools and at the Glastonbury Academy"...etc..etc.."extensive dealer in horses", "political creed Democratic"..."Postmaster" "in the Legislature".... "On January 16, 1878, Mr. Carrier was united in marriage to Miss Carolyn J. Simpson, a daughter of Capt. Edward M. ans Harriet (Johnson) Simpson", etc.. Wow! In my several years as an archivist I have never come across anything like that before!! It does trace back several generations. Best of luck in your research! Jennifer L.