Prior to moving to California, he was active in the abolitionist movement, fighting with John Brown in the Battle of Black Jack.

As a teenager, he had an apprenticeship at the Windham County Democrat, the newspaper owned by his stepfather, George Nichols.

[1] In 1854 (or 1855[3]), Carpenter, his mother, and his brother, Chapin, left Vermont to Kansas to support abolitionist activities.

[1] Carpenter joined abolitionist John Brown on June 2, 1856, fighting in the Battle of Black Jack.

Carpenter photographed panoramas of the coast, forests, and early industry, including logging and shipping.

[1] His works are held in the collection of the Sonoma County Library, SFMOMA and the Grace Hudson Museum.