John Edward Carter was born January 26, 1835 in Roane County, Tennessee. He was one of 13 children born to Phillip P. Carter and his wife, Mary Ballard. He had nine brothers and three sisters. The land they owned was located on Paint Rock Creek. Like many families who lived in a border state, the brothers of this family who were of an age to fight in the Civil War had different loyalties. Three enlisted in the Union Army and two were Confederates. John served as a Private in Company B, 16th Battalion (Neal's) Tennessee Cavalry from February 1, 1864 until the end of the war. There was a note attached to his military record which said, "never paid."
On October 22, 1857, John married Prudence "Prudy" Johnson in Meigs County, Tennessee. Prudy was the daughter of John Johnson and his second wife, Polly McFall. There were six children born of this marriage, John, Phillip Pendleton, Purvis Queartin, Susan "Sudie", William and Robert Huston Carter. The last two were born in Lawrence County, Missouri.
According to family tradition, John & Prudy, along with their little family, set out in an Ox Cart and left Tennessee for Missouri, sometime after the Civil War. They settled on land near Halltown, Lawrence County, Missouri, not far from Turnback Creek. John died May 20, 1916 and Prudy died in 1917. Both are buried in Rock Prarie Cemetery, sometimes called Halltown Cemetery.
The first of their children, John Carter was born February 17, 1860 in Meigs County, Tennessee. He was shot by a jealous rival because he was courting the same young lady as his rival was. He is also buried in Rock Prarie Cemetery, Halltown, Missouri.
The second child was Phillip Pendleton Carter, my grandfather. He was born July 29, 1863 in Meigs County, Tennessee. On March 16, 1885, he married Mary Ann Tennessee Bell in Lawrence County, Missouri. "Tenny" was a daughter of John Wallace Bell and his second wife, Malinda Wilson. There were 11 children born to this union. Phillip & "Tenny" both buried in Rock Prarie Cemetery, Halltown, Missouri.
Third child was Purvis Queartin Carter, born April 1, 1866, Meigs County, Tennessee. On June 23, 1887, he married America W. Bell in Lawrence County, Missouri. America was also a daughter of John Wallace Bell and his second wife, Malinda Wilson. There were six children born to this marriage. Purvis died June 17, 1902.
Fourth child was Susan "Sudie" Carter, born August 7, 1868 either in Tennessee or Missouri. She was a devoted daughter and cared for her aging parents until their death. On August 28, 1918, she married Lambert Welch. There was no issue of this marriage.
Fifth child was William Carter, born June 16, 1871, Lawrence County, Missouri. He died as a youngster in 1881.
Sixth child was Robert Huston Carter, born June 17, 1875, Lawrence County, Missouri. On October 1898, he married Lydia Ann Stogsdill. They removed to the state of California and died there. Robert died October 1, 1946.
Contibuted by Geraldine Buland
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