Samuel Carte (1662 – 1740) was an English clergyman and antiquarian noted for his extensive manuscript collections on English ecclesiastical and local history, particularly concerning the counties of Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.
Early life and education
Samuel Carte was born in 1662, the son of a cleric, and received his education at Oxford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was subsequently ordained in the Church of England.
Ecclesiastical career
Carte held several benefices during his lifetime. He served as the rector of St Michael’s Church in Leicester and later as the vicar of St Peter’s, Eaton (now in Derbyshire). His long tenure in these parishes provided him with access to parish records and archives, which he utilised in his antiquarian research.
Antiquarian work
Carte devoted much of his spare time to the collection and transcription of historical documents, including charters, wills, and ecclesiastical records. His manuscripts, compiled over several decades, encompass:
- Detailed genealogies of notable families in Leicestershire and surrounding counties.
- Transcriptions of medieval ecclesiastical proceedings, particularly those of the Diocese of Lincoln.
- Topographical and architectural descriptions of parish churches and religious houses.
Although Carte did not publish a major work during his lifetime, his manuscripts were later used by antiquarians and historians. Portions of his collections were incorporated into the “Histories of the County of Leicester” and other regional histories published in the 19th century.
Legacy and collections
After his death on 7 November 1740, Carte’s papers were bequeathed to his son, also a clergyman, and eventually dispersed among several repositories. Significant portions of his manuscript collection are held by the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and the Society of Antiquaries of London. Scholars have credited Carte with preserving a wealth of primary source material that would otherwise have been lost, contributing to the modern understanding of English local and ecclesiastical history.
Personal life
Carte married and had several children; his son, John Carte (1700–1780), followed in his father’s clerical footsteps and was also involved in antiquarian pursuits.
References
- “Samuel Carte,” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press.
- Bodleian Library, MS. Carte Collection.
- Society of Antiquaries of London, Catalogue of Manuscripts.
Note: The above information reflects established historical records and widely accepted scholarly sources.
