John Carter

John Carter (1749-1816) was from East Tuddenham, Norfolk, and studied at Heckmondwike Academy c. 1769-71, under the Rev. James Scott, and Independent minister. He assumed the pastorate of the Independent congregation at Mattishall, Norfolk, in 1771. This was the first Dissenting interest to emerge in that village c. 1662, but by 1760 the congregation had declined considerably and was essentially revived by Carter. He was ordained there on 30 September 1772, and remained there until his death in 1816, preaching as well in his final years at East Dereham, Norfolk.  His funeral sermon on John Glover of Norwich (friend of Robert Robinson) was published, along with a Memoir of Glover, in 1774. In 1780 Carter published excerpts from Glover’s diary (Carter kept a diary throughout his career at Mattishall as well) titled The Hidden and Happy Life of a Christian, Amid a Variety of Trials and Afflictions Incident to the Present State, Exemplified, in an Extract from the Diary of Mr. John Glover, Late of Norwich (London, 1780). He also published two pamphlets (1781, 1782) in response to a pamphlet by the Baptist minister at Lynn, William Richards, against infant baptism. Family Records: A Brief Memoir of the Rev. John Carter, of Mattishall, Norfolk, appeared in 1880, edited by his son-in-law, John Goddard Wigg, who was a that time living in Australia, where the book was published solely for the family (only 25 copies).