John CARPENTER married Alice HOWARD in 1884. Marriage registered in March Quarter that year in the district of Petersfield(which spans the boundaries of Hampshire and Sussex) Volume 2c p207. Greatham, Hampshire is part of this district.

John Carpenter Birth Registration also in district of Petersfield in March Quarter of 1861. Reference 2c p124.
Alice Howard Birth Registration also in district of Petersfield in June Quarter of 1861. Reference 2c p118.

It seems John was born in Liss (commonly West Liss) just 5.3 km north of Petersfield township.

This is from the 1881 UK Census

Name: John Carpenter
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1861
Birthplace: Liss, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Ag Lab
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England

The following are members of his family in the same census


Name: John Carpenter
Age: 56
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1825
Birthplace: Rogate, Sussex, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Marital Condition: Married
Profession/Occupation: Gen Labourer
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England


Name: Mary Carpenter
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1835
Birthplace: Rogate, Sussex, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Wife
Marital Condition: Married
Profession/Occupation:
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England


Name: Thomas Carpenter
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1859
Birthplace: Liss, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Gardener
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England
Disability:
Record Type: Household


Name: Annie Carpenter
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1866
Birthplace: Liss, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Housemaid (Ds)(Out Of Situation)
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England


Name: Henry Carpenter
Age: 13
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1868
Birthplace: Liss, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Ag Lab
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England
Disability:
Record Type: Household


Name: Isabella Carpenter
Age: 8
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1873
Birthplace: Liss, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Scholar
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England


Name: Emily M Carpenter
Age: 6
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1875
Birthplace: Rogate, Sussex, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Scholar
Address: Harting Coombe
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England

Rogate is about 4km east of Petersfield.

There was another daughter Kate listed in the 1871 census (family were in Liss, Hampshire for this one) aged 7 but not listed in 1881 one.

Guess who else was in Rogate in 1881 - Alice Howard!!!

She was born in Empshott just 4.5 km from Liss.

Name: Alice Howard
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1862
Birthplace: Empshott, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Barmaid (Inn Serv)
Address: Flying Bull Inn
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England
Disability:
Record Type: Household

Rest of her family

Name: James Howard
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1830
Birthplace: Greatham, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Marital Condition: Married
Profession/Occupation: Innkeeper
Address: Flying Bull Inn
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England

Name: Jemima Howard
Age: 48
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1833
Birthplace: Liss, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Wife
Marital Condition: Married
Profession/Occupation:
Address: Flying Bull Inn
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England

Name: Arthur Howard
Age: 13
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1868
Birthplace: Empshott, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation:
Address: Flying Bull Inn
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England
Disability:
Record Type: Household

Name: Bertha Howard
Age: 10
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1871
Birthplace: Empshott, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Scholar
Address: Flying Bull Inn
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England

Name: Mary Howard
Age: 6
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1875
Birthplace: Empshott, Hampshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Marital Condition: Single
Profession/Occupation: Scholar
Address: Flying Bull Inn
Census Place: Rogate, Sussex, England

John Carpenter married Mary Baker in Rogate , Sussex 24 November 1855 (registration December Quarter 1855 District of Midhurst, Sussex Volume 2b p605).

James Howard married Jemima Hobbs in London (registration March Quarter 1850 District of Lambeth, London Volume 4 p275).

As James was an innkeeper they probably moved around the UK a considerable amount.

John Carpenter born about 1825 was the son of Thomas Carpenter and Harriet Bishop

I'M stunned ...the biggest thank you,the feeling i have from this is beyond words,think i will have a little cry,its the best feeling and i hope that one day i can help some one like you have helped me.....good things to you always.....Wyn

You're welcome :)