Savage, in Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, p. 341, speculates that Thomas Carter's wife, Mary, may have been the daughter of Philemon Dalton. He infers this from the will of Ruth Dalton, the wife of Timothy Dalton who was the brother of Philemon. In her will, Ruth (having no children) remembers Mary Carter with the children of Phlemon Dalton.

Thomas Carter was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, England, from which he obtained his degree in 1629. After his arrival in America, he settled first in Dedham, MA, where he was a proprietor 25 April 1637. He next moved to Watertown, MA, and was made "freeman" 21 May 1638. At some point in time, he bought land in Cambridge, MA, which he sold 18 August 1643.

He became the first minister of the church in Woburn, MA, being ordained there 22 November 1642, and was a much honored pastor, "doing much to shape the character of the growing town." He deeded lands to his children before his death and bequeathed his library to his eldest son, Samuel, with the rest of his estate to be divided among his three sons and his daughter, Mary, after the death of his wife. The sons Samuel, Timothy, and Thomas and their mother signed an agreement to abide by the will. Thomas' children were mentioned in the will of James Carter of Hinderclay, Suffolk, England, 8 September 1655, as "The children of my brother Thomas Carter who is now in New England."

Thomas and his wife Mary (-----) Carter had eight children, all except the first two born probably in Woburn, MA:

• Samuel, b. probably in Watertown, MA, 8 Aug. 1640.
• Judith, b. probably in watertown, MA, 15 March 1642; d. in 1676; m. (1) 14 Oct. 1660, Samuel Convers; m. (2) 2 May 1672, Giles Fifield.
• Theophilus, b. 12 June 1645; died young.
• Mary, b. 24 July 1648; m. (1) John Wyman; m. (2) Nathaniel Batchelder.
• Abigail, b. 10 Aug. 1649; m. 7 May 1674, John Smith.
• Deborah, b. 17 Sept. 1651; d. age 16.
• Timothy, b. 12 June 1653.
• Thomas, Jr., b. 8 June 1655.