Karen Yvonne Hamilton, April 20, 2026
*To other researchers:
Records are conflicting. Needs additional research.
BIRTH
From census records and obituary, Mary Jane Carter was born between 1849-1859. Alabama census records list the place of birth as Alabama. Georgia census records list place of birth as Georgia.
FAMILY CONNECTIONS
Mary Jane Carter was the mother of Laura Etta YOUNG Gomes who married Francisco GOMES in Fort Myers, Florida in 1889.
Laura and Francisco were the parents of my grandmother, Florinda GOMES Posey.
POSSIBLE PARENTS
- John D Carter and Jane Dodd. (Two census records confirm father’s name. Mother’s maiden name confirmed with Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978 Habersham Marriages, Book B, 1841-1874)
What record connects John D CARTER and JANE DODD with Mary Jane CARTER?
Alabama or Georgia?
We have one record showing Laura Etta Young’s birth date, birth place and parents. She was born on January 22, 1875, in Pensacola, Florida.
Here is where it gets confusing. There are TWO records that have John Carter and Jane Carter with a daughter named Mary (Jane) in 1860.
Did Mary Jane Carter come from Georgia or Alabama?
One family is from Habersham County Georgia, the other from Covington Co Alabama.
| 1860 United States Federal Census, Habersham County, Georgia | 1860 United States Federal Census, Covington Co, Alabama |
| John Carter age 38 (1822) born in NC. Jane Carter age 36 (1824) born in SC. CHILDREN Levi age 14 Lucy Ann age 12 Susannah age10 Amanda age 8 Mary age 6 (1854) William age 4 Baby | John Carter age 51 born SC Jane Carter age 40 born SC CHILDREN Georgia Ann age 13 born Ala Mary Jane age 11 (1849) born Ala John W D age 5 born Ala Susana age 3 born Ala Louisa L age 10 months born Ala |
| Habersham County, Georgia | Covington Co, Alabama |
| There is a marriage record filed in Habersham County Georgia dated 5 March 1845 of John Carter and Jane Dodd. THIS DOES NOT PROVE THEY ARE THE PARENTS OF MARY JANE CARTER. | Based on daughter, Laura Etta’s obituary, she is from Alabama which would be consistent with the Alabama family. Further, the Alabama family was in Walton County Florida in 1870 according to the 1870 United States Federal Census. Walton County is very near Escambia County (Pensacola) where Laura Etta was born. |
RESIDENCES from the Alabama census
In 1860, Mary Jane (age 11) lived with her parents in Covington County, Alabama. Her father was a clergyman.
In 1870, Mary Jane (age 18) lived in Walton County, Florida with her parents and siblings. Her father was a minister. All on this census are listed as born in Alabama.
RESIDENCES from the Georgia census
In 1898, Mary Jane Carter lived in Pensacola, Florida and worked as a seamstress.
MARRIAGE
Mary Jane Carter married William Young in Santa Rosa, Florida, on March 25, 1874, when she was 15 years old. Wm Younge to Mary Jane Carter marriage document March 25 1874 Recorded May 2 1874 Frank Smith Clerk. I hereby certify that on the 25th day of march of 1874 I solemnized the rites of matrimony reference the above named parties JJ Cooper LLG
CHILDREN
- Laura Etta YOUNG was born on January 22, 1875, in Pensacola, Florida.
- From her obituary in the Pensacola News, Mary Jane Carter married or had a child with (first name unknown) SAUNDERS. Year unknown. Martin Luther SAUNDERS was born on September 30, 1885, in Fort Myers, Florida.
MARRIAGE
From her obituary in the Pensacola News, Mary Jane Carter married (first name unknown) PETERSON.
DEATH
Mary Jane Carter died on January 1, 1929, in Pensacola, Florida, when she was 70 years old.
From her obituary in the Pensacola News, Mary Jane Carter was buried in Roberts Cemetery Florida in Pensacola, FL.
SOURCES
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY FACEBOOK GROUP: Consider joining our group for more on Florida Keys History.
FLORIDA EVERGLADES HISTORY FACEBOOK GROUP: Consider joining our group for more on Florida Everglades History.
Exploring Florida History 