John Carter

Who was John Carter?

Sir John Carter was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1654 and 1660. He served in the Parliamentary army in the English Civil War.

Carter was the second son of Thomas Carter of Denton, Buckinghamshire. He is said to have been apprenticed to a linen-draper, probably in London. During the Civil War he joined the Parliamentary army where he distinguished himself as a Parliamentary officer. As Lieutenant Colonel Carter, he was sent with forces from London to reinforce General Middleton and landed in Pembrokeshire in August 1644. After marching to join Middleton's army in Cardiganshire he then accompanied him to North Wales. He was one of General Mytton's Commissioners to receive the surrender of Carnarvon Castle on 4 June 1646. He settled at Kinmel and became one of the most powerful men in Denbighshire. The Committee of both Houses ordered him to continue as Governor of Conway Castle on 17 July 1647. He was appointed a Commissioner for pious uses for the use of the Corporation of Denbigh on 17 November 1648 and was Constable of Conway Castle from 23 June 1649 to 15 February 1661. On 8 October 1648 and on 13 February 1650 he was appointed High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire and was appointed a Commissioner. of Sequestration in North Wales on 18 February 1650. He was Custos Rotulorum of Caernarvonshire from 1 May 1651 to 25 June 1656. As Governor of Conway, he received a commission from the Council of State on 18 August 1651 to raise a Troop of Horse.