Richard Carrier (abt. 1584 - 1643)

Born about 1584 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire, England

Descendants

Died 1643 at about age 59 in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England

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Biography

Richard Carrier of Yaxley, Huntingdonshire, gained his BA from St John's College, Cambridge, in 1600/01.^[1]

He graduated MA from St John's College, Cambridge, and was ordained deacon on 15 June 1606 and priest 20 September 1607.^[2]

He married Jenet Parker of Browsholme Hall, Bowland Forest, Yorkshire, by licence granted at Lincoln in August 1612.^[3]

He was presented to the living of Ecton, Northamptonshire, by George Catesby Esq. of Gresley, Derbyshire, on 9 December 1611. On his resignation, his successor William Parker MA was presented by John Carrier of Yaxley on 18 September 1619.^[4]

He moved to Derbyshire, where on 14 September 1619 he was appointed vicar of Wirksworth by the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral, his wife's uncle Roger Parker (1558-1629). He was also rector of nearby Carsington from 1623, holding both appointments until 1633.^[5]

Carrier won two court cases, in 1621 and 1627, confirming his right to collect tithes on lead ore. In 1623 he became Barmaster of the Wirksworth Wapentake on behalf of his father-in-law Thomas Parker, putting him in a unique position to collect both duties and tithes from the lead miners, a position he exploited ruthlessly. Complaints against his behaviour eventually reached the Star Chamber. The Duchy of Lancaster Court committed him, his wife and four others to the Fleet Prison in 1631 "for the riots & forceable taking of guifter ore", and imposed a heavy fine. He was replaced as vicar in 1633; the Star Chamber delivered its judgement against him in 1634.^[6]

Richard Carrier, clerk of Wirksworth, Derbyshire, made his last will on 26 April 1643 naming his eldest son William, his son Robert, and his younger children John, Janet and Isabel, all under 21. He also named his brother-in-law Roger Parker; and made a bequest to the poor of Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. He made his wife Janet sole executrix. The will was proved at London on 1 May 1646 by his widow.^[7]

He was buried in the chancel of Bonsall parish church on 4 October 1643.^[8]

Research Note

He seems to have exchanged livings with William Parker in 1619. William Parker Matric. pens. from ST JOHN'S, Easter, 1610; B.A. 1613-4; M.A. 1617. Incorp. at Oxford, 1617. One of these names V. of Wirksworth, Derbs., 1619-20. R. of Ecton, Northants., 1620.^[9]

William Parker may have been his wife's cousin: William Parker. The exchange would have been part of moves by the Parker family to increase their control over the Wirksworth lead mines.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ Education: "Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900"
   Ancestry uk Record 3997 #13437 (accessed 18 June 2022)
   Name: Richard Carrier; College: ST JOHN'S; Died: 1646.
2. ↑ https://theclergydatabase.org.uk/jsp/search/index.jsp
3. ↑ J. W. Clay, ed., Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire, Vol. III (Exeter, 1917), page 381
4. ↑ John Cole, The History and Antiquities of Ecton in the County of Northampton (Scarborough, 1825), page 15
5. ↑ https://theclergydatabase.org.uk/jsp/search/index.jsp
6. ↑ Ron Slack, Lead miners' heyday (Peak District Mines History Society, 2000), pp 26ff
7. ↑ Will: "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858"
   The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 196
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 5111 #821051 (accessed 18 June 2022)
   Will of Richardi Carrice of Carberlesworth, Derbyshire, England, granted probate on 1 May 1646. Died Abt 1646.
8. ↑ http://www.wirksworth.org.uk/PR021.htm#411
9. ↑ "Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900"
   Ancestry uk Record 3997 #52550 (accessed 19 June 2022)
   Name: William Parker; College: ST JOHN'S; Entered: Easter, 1610.
10. ↑ Andy Wood, The Politics of Social Conflict: The Peak Country, 1520-1770 (Cambridge University Press, 1999), pp219ff