Deacon Samuel W. Carter and his brother, Harrison, wellknown natives and residents of Henniker, are sons of Nathan and Margery (Wadsworth) Carter. Their grandfather, Samuel Carter, who was born in Wilmington, Mass., in 1758, settled in Hillsborough County after his marriage. Samuel’s wife, Molly Abbott Carter, was born May 18, 1769, in Londonderry, N.H.
Nathan Carter was born in Hillsborough County. When a young man he settled at Westboro Corner in the town of Henniker. He was a carpenter, and he followed that trade for forty-three years as a contractor and builder. It was said that there was not a house in the town that he had not worked upon either as builder or jobber. A skilful workman, he took special pride in executing fine cabinet work, many specimens of which are still in the family’s possession. He owned a good farm at Westboro Corner, where his shop was located. At his death on June 4, 1880, aged eighty-four years, he left an estate valued at ten thousand dollars. Possessed of remarkable strength, he was able to climb to an unusual height when over eighty years old, and his activity continued up to the time of his death. He served in the garrison at Portsmouth during the War of 1812, and in his later years he received a pension from the government. His wife, Margery, whom he November 24, 1819, was a daughter of Aaron and Sally (Wood) Wadsworth. She became the mother of seven children, namely: William Harrison, born March 1, 1822, who died August 16, 1823; Caroline Matilda, born July 8, 1824, who died February 12, 1826; Samuel Worcester, born February 6, 1827; the Rev. Nathaniel Franklin Carter, born January 6, 1830, who is now Librarian of the Historical Society in Concord; Henry Carleton, born November 30, 1834, who died January 21, 1894; Harrison, born January 16, 1837; and William Frederick, born November 11, 1840, who died April 14, 1859. Henry Carleton was for many years a prominent business man of Concord. He married Clara Ferrin, who survives him. Nathan and Margery Carter were both members of the Congregational church, which they joined respectively in 1825 and 1831. Their children received strict training in both religion and temperance. The mother died January 23, 1892, in her ninety-first year.
Harrison Carter succeeded his father in the possession of the homestead, and resided there until 1895. In that year he sold the property to a cousin, Enos Carter. He is well informed upon all current topics, and is especially familiar with local history.
Samuel Worcester Carter resided in Bradford for two years following his marriage. In 1852 he settled upon a farm which his father owned, and which adjoined the homestead. He continued to till the soil and raise poultry until 1891, when he sold his property. He is now living in retirement in the village.
On February 1, 1849, Samuel W. Carter married Fidelia H. Smith, who was born in Langdon, July 29, 1827, daughter of Elias and Matilda (Stiles) Smith. While serving as a privateer during the War of 1812, her father was captured by the British, and was held a prisoner on board a war vessel and on the island of Bermuda for sixteen months. Mrs. Carter resided for some time with her maternal grandparents, Moses and Mary (Kenney) Stiles, in Bradford, where she became acquainted with her future husband. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have one daughter, Ella Matilda, who was born August 2, 1856. On October 19, 1876, Ella Matilda Carter married Wallace A. Howlet, a painter, paper-hanger, and decorator, and now has one son, Wilmer Harrison, born April 25, 1894.
In politics the Messrs. Carter are Republicans. Harrison Carter served as Supervisor for eight years. Both are earnest advocates of temperance and the prohibitory law. Samuel W. Carter united with the Congregational church when fifteen years old, and has been a member for about fifty-four years. For twenty years he has acted as a Deacon, and has been very active in Sunday-school work.