[1] The Carters were prosperous gentleman farmers in Paulerspury, Northamptonshire, but young Lawrence was destined for a legal career.
He was educated at Clement's Inn and articled to Thomas Wadland, an attorney in Leicester, whose daughter Elizabeth he married.
He was one of the first to kiss hands with James II, securing letters patent from the new monarch for the rights to provide his home town with a piped water from the Soar, which he did at a cost of £4000 (equivalent to £771,000 in 2023[3]).
In 1701 he returned to represent the same seat, succeeding his eldest son who was also called Lawrence Carter.
[1] He died on 1 June 1710, aged 69, and was buried at the church of St Mary de Castro, Leicester.