Joah Carter 1786-1871

Joah Carter was born the 3rd of April, 1786 in Ripponden, Yorkshire, England the son of William Carter and Elizabeth Riley.  He married Elizabeth Mitton in Halifax, Yorkshire, England on the 5th of March 1810.  

The couple had the following children:

1. Hannah Carter, b. 24 Jun 1810, Ripponden,Yorkshire,England, married James McFarlane
2. Elizabeth Carter b. 1812, Ripponden,Yorkshire,England, married Stephen Crouch
3. Mary Carter b. Jan 1815, Yorkshire, England, married Stephen Mercer, d. 29 Jan 1899, Onondaga Valley, NY.
4. John Carter b. 1818 - went to sea and last heard of was on a ship trading between the East & West Indies.
5. Priscilla Carter b. 1821, Yorkshire, England, d. 07 Apr 1897, Lakewood, Chautauqua, NY.
6. Maria Carter b. 24 Dec 1822, Yorkshire, England, d. 11 Oct 1890, Gowanda, NY.
7. Mitten Carter b. 1824, d. 1833 Columbia County, NY.
8. Joseph Carter b. 12 Feb 1829, Hudson, Hudson Valley, Columbia Co, NY, married Mary Howles Jan 19, 1854, d. 07 Jul 1889, Bear Lake, Freehold Township, Warren, PA.
9. Joshua Carter b. 21 Dec 1830, Columbiaville, Columbia Co, NY, d. 30 Dec 1905, Shawnee Co, Kansas 

Sometime between 1824 and 1829 the Joah Carter family immigrated to the United States settling in Columbia County, New York. Joseph and Joshua Carter were born in New York. 

Carter Farm - Barns - Warren County, PA

In about 1838 the family moved to Freehold Township in Warren County, Pennsylvania.  Joah and his family settled on a tract of uncleared land and this was his home for 28 years.  

Joah Carter and Family 1850 census - Pennsylvania

As mentioned in earlier posts, Joah Carter became very active in the Underground Railroad.  He gave money to the cause, and serving as a Station Master provided a haven for escaping slaves - risking is own life and property for the cause.  His son, Joseph Carter, further contributed toward the abolition of slavery.  Joseph joined the Union Army on the 26th of August 1863 - the very day his daughter, Nellie (Ellen) Carter was born. Joseph served for almost 23 months - participating in 14 regular engagements before being taken prisoner to the notorious Libby Prison.  

Joah Carter and the Mary Carter Mercer Family - 1870 census 

Joah must have been thrilled when the Emancipation Proclamation became a reality at the end of the Civil War.  In about 1866, he and Elizabeth returned to the Onoudaga Valley of New York to live with their daughter, Mary Carter Mercer.  Joah died there on the 13th of April 1871.  A life well-lived.