The Book of Common Prayer owned by Thomas Carter I (c.1630-1700) of Christ Church Parish, Lancaster County, Virginia, printed in London in 1662, is a remarkable survivor of the ravages of time. Thomas Carter and others after him used the book to record Carterfamily dates and other significant information. Along margins and on blank pages in the Prayer Book, Carter noted memorable events in the life of his family, such as the birth dates of children born to him and his wife Katharine, daughter of Major Edward Dale, an influential and prominent citizen of Lancaster County.