George Moulton Carpenter Jr.

Born on April 22, 1844, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island,[1] Carpenter moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts and attend the public schools of that city, then completed his basic education in the grammar schools of Providence, Rhode Island.[2] For some time he engaged in various employment.[2] He graduated from Brown University with honors in 1864, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.[2] He was a reporter for the Providence Evening Press and Providence Daily Journal from 1864 to 1867.[1] He entered private practice in Providence from 1867 to 1882.[2] On July 1, 1880, he was appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island as one of the commissioners to revise the laws of Rhode Island.[2] He was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island from 1882 to 1885.[1]

Carpenter was nominated by President Chester A. Arthur on December 16, 1884, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island vacated by Judge LeBaron Bradford Colt.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 1884, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on July 31, 1896, due to his death in Katwijk, South Holland, Netherlands.[1] Carpenter died suddenly while on a European tour for his health.[2] He was interred at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence on September 30, 1896.[3]

The Masonic Square and Compasses.
(Found with or without the letter G)

In Masonry, Carpenter had received the highest honors, having been a 33rd degree Mason for 14 years.[2] He was raised to the degree of Master Mason in St. John's Lodge No. 1 of this city June 18. 1873, and exalted to the degree of Holy Royal Arch in Providence Chapter April 2, 1874.[2] He received the degrees in Providence Council of Royal and Select Masters in June.[2]

Carpenter was a descendant of the Rehoboth Carpenter family who came to America in the mid-1630s.[4]

• George Moulton Carpenter at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.