DNA testing from descendants of the John Carter,  Levi Carter and Caleb Carter,  indicates they have a common ancestry.  The generation that is the common ancestry is unknown at this time.  There is a strong possibility they were brothers.  It is also possible that Joseph Carter is also related in the same manner.

John Denton Carter in his research found records of land deeds and pension applications that indicate that John, Levi and Caleb were traveling together from New Jersey to Tennessee.  Joseph Carter does not appear to have been with them on most of the journey but he connected up with them in Virginia and them moved on to Greene County, Tennessee with the other three.

The closeness of land ownership and naming of children indicate they were closely related.  The practice of naming children of the later generation with the names of the earlier generation was very common in that era and is still done to some extent today.

The following information is found in Group 1 DNA test results and from other research.  Some of the information contained in this writing is not proven but just speculation. I would welcome any and all inputs to add or correct any information found in this writing.  Please send comments, corrections or scolding to me at  Clarence C Carter .

Janet Carter-Kessler, (kit # 14429), Clarence C. Carter, (kit # 14547) and Larry Carter, (kit # 15140) had established their closest common ancestry was Abraham Carter b.1752 in NJ, son of John Carter, b. 1723 in NJ, before they joined the Carter DNA project.  DNA testing only proved their previous findings.

Abraham Carter is 4^th Great Grandfather to Janet Carter-Kessler (kit # 14429).

Abraham Carter is 4^th Great Grandfather to Larry Carter (kit # 15140.

Abraham Carter is 3^rd  Great Grandfather to Clarence C. Carter (kit # 14547).

Clarence C. Carter (kit # 14547) and Larry Carter (kit # 15140) have a common ancestry in John Albert Carter b. 1822 in TN, son of Robert Enoch Carter b.1785 in TN, son of Abraham Carter b. 1752 in NJ, son of John Carter b. 1723 in NJ.

 John Albert Carter b. 1822 in TN, is Great Grandfather to Clarence C. Carter (kit # 14547) from John Albert Carter’s third marriage.

 John Albert Carter b. 1822 in TN, is Great Great Grandfather to Larry Carter (kit # 15140) from John Albert Carter’s second marriage.

Elmer Ross Carter (kit # 21929) provided DNA for Levi Carter b ca 1736.

Kit # 27641 provided DNA for Levi Carter b. 1776 (one generation later than Levi Carter from kit # 21929.) It appears that he is the son of Caleb Carter found in the tree provided by Roy Carter below.

Roy Carter (kit # 24218) provided DNA for Elbert S. Carter, whom they believe to be a descendant of Caleb Carter. By visiting the  Carter Website which is maintained by descendants of Elbert S. Carter we find that Caleb Carter had a son named Levi Carter b. 1776 VA. This information fits nicely the information on Levi Carter b. 1776 from kit # 27641. One year apart on birth of Levi, same death date info and same two wives.  Available information indicates that Levi Carter b. 1776 in VA is the son of Caleb Carter b ca 1750.

Kit # 18383 for Thomas James Carter b. 1785 who could be one generation later that John Carter b. 1723, Levi Carter b. 1736 and Caleb Carter b. 1750. Since Thomas James Carter is not found in the known family tree for John, Levi or Caleb it leaves open the door for him to be from Joseph.Carter, who settled on Lick Creek, Greene Co. TN with John, Levi and Caleb.

Milton Carter, b. 1797. Kit # 18033 who could be one or two generations later than John Carter b. 1723, Levi Carter b. 1736 and Caleb Carter b. 1750.  Since Milton Carter is not found in the known family tree for John, Levi, or Caleb it leaves open the door for him to be from Joseph Carter who settled on Lick Creek, Greene Co. TN with John, Levi and Caleb.  I have found three census reports on Milton Carter in Al for the years of 1850, 1860 and 1870. On the 1850 census Marion Carter, son of Milton, is shown as being three years of age which agrees with data in Milton’s Tree on www.carter-cousins.org.

Unless we can locate a connection in the New Jersey area we may never know how John, Levi, Caleb and possibly Joseph are related.

It would be helpful if Milton Carter and Thomas Carter could be tied to one of the four Carters that we know started in NJ.  Also if Elbert S Carter could be firmly established to have been a descendant of Caleb Carter would be helpful.

Those of us who are in the Group 1 DNA project would appreciate any inputs or corrections that anyone knows of.  As this project goes forward any new or disproved information will be posted in this location.  Therefore you are requested to revisit this section from time to time to see any changes.  Changes will be posted as revisions with dates.