Francis Richard Carter was born on 2 December 1851 in Potternewton to Joseph Barton Carter and Mary Hudson. He was baptised at St Peter’s Church on 24 June 1852 and the records show that his father was a surgeon.

The 1861 Census shows Francis, aged 9, staying with his Uncle, Atkinson Pickering, at 45 Lowgate in Hull. His Uncle was a “Chemist and Druggist employing 3 men & 1 boy & Farmer at ? ? employ 3 men 1 boy”

Francis is shown in the “Leeds Grammar School Admission Book” on page 172

Francis was 19 years old and a “Student of Medicine” at the time of the 1871 Census, living with his family at 6 Leeds Road (I think this refers to the Leeds-Harrogate Road.) Francis qualified as a doctor in 1873.

In 1881, the census recorded that Francis was 29 years old, unmarried, living with his parents and sister at Elan (?) House on High Road in Potternewton. This was probably very close to the Old Vicarage on Church Lane in Chapel Allerton. Francis was recorded as a General Practitioner MRCS Eng (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England) and LSA Lon (Licence of the Society of Apothecaries)

Francis married Mary Temperley North on 26 September 1883 at St Martin’s Church in Potternewton. Mary was 10 years younger than Francis and her father, William North was a solicitor living at North Grove House which is on Stainbeck Lane.

Francis and Mary had at least four children:

  • Mary (1885-1937)
  • William Edgar (1886-1978)
  • Francis Richard (1888-1947)
  • Norah Temperley (1893-1968)

The family were living at Saville House in Chapel Allerton at the time of the 1891 Census, Francis was described as a Medical Practitioner, the three children were all under five and they had two visitors – Samuel and Mary Heath, Samuel was a farmer – and four servants.

The 1901 Census shows Francis aged 49 working as a surgeon, Mary his wife and their four children plus three servants.

Francis died on 21 February 1907 and was buried on 25 February in the churchyard at St Matthew’s.

In Loving Memory of
FRANCIS RICHARD CARTER
SURGEON AT CHAPEL-ALLERTON
FOR 33 YEARS
DIED FEBRUARY 21ST 1907
AGED 55 YEARS
“HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP”
ALSO MARY
BELOVED ELDEDST CHILD OF THE ABOVE
ENTERED INTO REST
MARCH 18TH 1937
ALSO MARY TEMPERLEY
WIDOW OF THE ABOVE
DIED MAY 19TH 1943
AGED 81 YEARS
“IN GODS KEEPING”

Probate reads:

CARTER Francis Richard of Savile-house Potternewton Leeds surgeon died 21 February 1907 Probate Wakefield 9 April to Mary Temperley Carter widow and William Simpson Hannam solicitor Effects £2466 14s. 11d.