| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. Citation Information: "The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633," Volume III:1718-21, by Robert Charles Anderson:
"Thomas Spencer
Origin: Stotfold, Bedfordshire
Migration: 1633
First Residence: Cambridge
Removes: Hartford 1636
Church Membership: Admission to Cambridge church prior to 14 May 1634 implied by freemanship.
Freeman: 14 May 1634 (sixth in a sequence of nine Cambridge men) [MBCR 1:369].
Education: He made his mark to his will.
Offices: Petit jury, 7 March 1649/50, 15 May 1650, June 1651, 7 September 1652, 7 June 1655, 1 December 1659, 6 June 1661, 5 June 1662 [RPCC 77, 82, 101, 111, 143, 205, 234, 248]. Hartford constable, 4 March 1657[/8] [RPCC 185].
Estate: Granted one rood for a cowyard in Cambridge, 5 August 1633 [CaTR 5]. Granted a proportional share of one in the undivided meadow, 20 August 1635 [CaTR 13]. In the 8 February 1635/6 list of house, credited with one in town [CaTR 18].
In the Cambridge inventory of lands on 1 May 1635 "Thomas Spenser" held four parcels: "in the town one house with a garden plot and backside about one rood"; two acres in Smalllot Hill; one acre in the Neck; and one acre more in the Neck [CaBOP 7]. The first two of these parcels were purchased by Edmund Angier [CaBOP 50].
In the Hartford land inventory in February 1639/40 "Thom[as] Spenser, sergeant at arms," held thirteen parcels (some of which he acquired after the date of the inventory): "one parcel on which his dwelling house now standeth with yards & gardens therein being which was sequestered for Thom[as] Fisher & is now settled on Thom[as] Spenser part whereof he hath sold to Will[ia]m Spenser & now remaineth by estimation one acre"; one acre and two roods in the West Field; three roods in the Soldier's Field; four acres in the North Meadow; one acre and two roods on the east side of the Great River; one acre and one rood on the east side of the Great River "which is a parcel of that which was sequestered for Mr. Woolcott"; four acres on the east side of the Great River "which he bought of Will[ia]m Spenser for a parcel of land which lay in the Middle Oxpasture & contained seven acres two roods & was parcel of the said Thom[as] Spenser's land"; three acres and two roods in the cowpasture; five acres and twenty perches in the cowpasture; five acres in the Little Oxpasture "which he bought of Nath[aniel] Yela for land belonging to the said Thomas Spencer"; four acres & two roods in the Little Oxpasture "which he received of Richard Goodman for land belonging to the said Thomas Spencer"; two acres in the Little Oxpasture "which he bought of Ric[hard] Goodman" on 24 February 1653; and four acres on the east side of the Great River "which he bought of Joseph Eston" on 24 February 1653 [HaBOP 152-54].
In his will, dated 9 September 1686 and proved 26 October 1687, "Thomas Spencer Senior of Hartford, ... finding the shadows of the evening are stretching over me," bequeathed to "my eldest son Obadiah ... my housing and land in Hartford, all my lands both meadow and upland on west side and east side of the Connecticut River" in Hartford (he paying certain legacies), along with some personal goods; to "my son Thomas" £15, of which he hath £5; to "my son Samuel (he having received a good portion of his uncle) all my wearing apparell"; to "my son Jarrad my shop & tools & £12, all of which are in his hands"; residue to "my five daughters Sarah, Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary and Martha, to be equally divided to them by their brother my son Jarrad"; "my son Obadiah Spencer my executor"; "Capt. Allyn, Lieut. Caleb Standly and my cousin Samuel Spencer" overseers [Hartford PD Case #5095; Manwaring 1:365].
The "inventory of the estate of Sergeant Thomas Spencer who deceased the 11th of September 1687" totalled £139 19s., including £132 in real estate: "six acres of land on the east side Coneticutt River," £60; "four acres of land in the long meadow," £20; "four acres of woodland," £2; and "his homelot and housing," £50; after listing the few items of personal estate, the appraisers noted that "the other moveable estate was distributed by himself and delivered to his daughters most of it in his lifetime and the remainder before the inventory was taken as his executors gave the account of said estate" [Hartford PD Case #5095].
Birth: Baptized Stotfold, Bedfordshire, 29 March 1607, son of Gerard and Alice (Whitbread) Spencer [TAG 27:162].
Death: Hartford 11 September 1687 (from inventory).
Marriage: (1) After 2 November 1634 Anne Dorryfall, sister of Barnaby Dorryfall [NEHGR 105:197-99]. "Anne Dorifall, aged 24," sailed on the Elizabeth of Ipswich in 1634 [Hotten 281] and was admitted to Boston church 2 November 1634 as "Ann Derifall, our brother Wm. Coddington's maid servant" [BChR 19]. She died by 1645.
(2) Hartford 11 September 1645 Sarah Bearding [HaVR 606], daughter of Nathaniel Bearding of Hartford.
Children:
With first wife
i Obadiah ("eldest son"), b. say 1635; m. by about 1666 Mary Disborough (estimated b. of first Child), daughter of Nicholas Disborough [TAG 27:166, 38:209].
ii Thomas, b. say 1637; m. by about 1666 Esther Andrews (estimated b. of first Child), daughter of William Andrews [TAG 27:166-67, 35:57].
iii Samuel, b. about 1639 (if he is the Samuel who d. Windham 8 January 1726/7 aged about 88 [NEHGR 105:198], and if that age at death is not exaggerated); m. by about 1684 Sarah ____ (estimated b. of first child [TAG 27:167]).
With second wife
iv Sarah, b. say 1646; m. by 1667 Thomas Huxley (on 26 March 1667 John Winthrop Jr. treated "Huxlye, Sarah, above 20 years, wife of Tho[mas] Huxly of Hartford & daughter of Sergeant Tho[mas] [S]penc[er] of Hartford" [WMJ 710]).
v Elizabeth, bp. 26 March 1648 [HaVR 579]; m. by about 1668 Samuel Andrews, son of William Andrews [TAG 35:55-59].
vi Jared, b. say 1650; m. Hartford 22 December 1680 Hannah Pratt, daughter of John [HaVR Barbour 301].
vii Hannah, b. Hartford 15 April 1653 [CTVR 31]; said to have married (1) George Sexton, (2) Daniel Brainerd and (3) Jonathan Chapman, but the secondary sources are vague and uncertain, and the evidence for these marriages has not been found.
viii Mary, b. Hartford 18 May 1655 [CTVR 32]; m. Westfield 7 October 1675 Thomas Root [Pynchon VR 31].
ix Martha, b. Hartford 19 March 1657[/8] [CTVR 31]; m. by 1677 Andrew Benton (b. of first Child), son of Andrew Benton [TAG 27:163; NEHGR 60:301-2 (evidence for this marriage not presented in either source)].
Associations: Thomas Spencer was brother of William Spencer of Cambridge and Hartford, and of Michael Spencer and Gerard Spencer of Lynn [TAG 27:79-87, 161-65]. In this article Jacobus makes the three sons by the first wife of Thomas Spencer slightly younger than we do here.
Comments: On 7 September 1652 Thomas Spencer undertook to pay the fine of Sarah Spencer [RPCC 112]."
2. The following for Thomas Spencer is from various Worldconnect databases as of 21 Sep 2007: "Thomas was born and raised in Stotford, England. He came to New England, along with three of his brothers around 1633, settling first in Newtown (Cambridge). He became a freeman there on 14 May 1634 and by 1635 owned four parcels of land - see "The Great Migration Begins," page 1718. He was soon to become embroiled in the Pequot War. The powerful Pequot tribe had lived along the Connecticut River and adjacent lands for hundreds of years. As the white settlers moved onto the land, numerous quarrels over the years finally erupted into war, "the first serious armed conflict between the Indians and white settlers in New England." Retaliating for an English raid on Block Island, the Indians attacked Wethersfield on 23 April 1637, killing nine settlers and capturing two little girls. The following month, on 26 May 1637 captains John Underhill and John Mason led an expeditionary force to the Pequot stronghold near New Haven, burning their fort and slaughtering about 500 men, women, and children - see "The Encyclopedia of American Facts and Dates." In the following weeks, the 30 or 40 Pequots who had escaped were hunted down and killed. "The war officially ended in September 1638 when the few survivors of the Pequot tribe were forced to sign the Treaty of Hartford, declaring the Pequot nation to be dissolved." The Pequot War was so devasting to the Indians, "that the Connecticut Valley was not to see significant 'Indian troubles' until the outbreak of King Phillip's War," forty years later. Thomas was one of the 61 Hartford men who fought in the war - see Trumbull's "Memorial History of Hartford," page 49. By 1639 Thomas had been granted "3 roods in the soldiers field." In 1638 he had been granted a house lot on Main street in Hartford. By February 1640 he owned 13 parcels of land and was listed as a "sergeant at arms." He had probably married not long after first settling in Newtown. His first wife died not long after the birth of their third son and by 1645 he had remarried. On 2 March 1642 Thomas was sued by Henry Wolcott. The Particular Court found for Wolcott and awarded him damages and court costs - see "Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut" 1:81, 2:150, 518. In March 1649/50 the Particular Court appointed Thomas sergeant of the militia. He was appointed town constable in March 1657 and by 1669 was on the list of freemen on the north side of the river in Hartford. Two years later, in 1671 he was granted more land in Hartford for his service as a sergeant in the militia: "this Court grants Sargent Thomas Spencer sixty acres of land, for his good service in the country, provided he take it up where it may not prejudice any former grant or plantation." Thomas was involved in numerous land transactions over the years and by his death in 1687 his estate was valued at over 139 pounds, which included 132 pounds in real estate. He made his will one year prior to his death; it reads:
'I Thomas Spencer senior of Hartford, being at present in good and sownd understanding not knoweing how soon I may be removed hence by death and finding the shodowes of the evening are stretching over me canot but judg that council of the prophet very seasonable set they house in order, etc. I doe therefore make ordayn and apoint this followeing to be my last will and testament hereby makeing null and voyd all former wills and testaments by me made whither by word or writing. First I commit my soule to God in Jesus Christ my dear Savior and redeemer from whom alone I expect salvation and an inheritance among the sainets in light my body to the earth to be decently buried in the comon burying place; for that estate God hath blessed me with, I bequeath and dispose of it as followeth - when my just debts and funerall expences are fully satisyed and payed to my eldest son Obadiah I give my houseing and land in Hartford, all my lands both meadow and upland on the west side and east side of the Connecticut River within the bounds of the Township of Hartford, to be to him his heirs and assigns immediately after my decease and from thence forever, he paying out such legacies as I shall appoynt by this Will. I give to my sayd son allso one cupboard and irons warming pan old fann two forekes peas hook two axes and an old hoe. I give unto my son Thomas the sume of fifteen pounds and Obadiah shall pay ten pounds more to him or to his heires in currant pay corn or cattell to be payd within two or three yeares after my decease as he shall be able. I give unto my son Samuel (he having received a good portion from his Uncle) all my wearing apparrell off all sorts and kinds. I give unto my son Jarred my shop and tooles and twelve pownds, all which are in his hands and I have possest him with them allready. The rest of my moveable estate I give unto my five daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth, Hanna, Mary and Martha, to be equally divided to them by their brother my son Jarrad. I do make my son Obadiah Spencer executor of this my last will and testament and that he may have a refuge to repayre unto for advice if any difficulty should befall him in the executoin of my will I desire Capt. Jno Allyn, Lieut. Caleb Standly and my cousin Samuel Spencer to be the overseers whom I desire to asssit my sol executor their best advice as occasion may call for it. Finally I leave all my children with the Lord and desire his blessing may be their portion that they may love and serve him and live in love and peace one with another when I shall be gathered to my fathers and for the confirmation of this my will and testmanet I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of September 1686. Thomas Spencer (his mark) Witnesses: John Allyn, Hanna Allyn - Hartford Probate Records 4:262."
3. The following will transcription for Nathaniel Bearding in 1674 is from various Worldconnect databases as of 21 Sep 2007. It mentions this individual as follows:
"I Nathaniel Berding of Hartford upon the River of Connecticut, planter doe in this my last will and testament give unto Abigaill my wife the sum of twenty pounds to be paid her in such pay as may bee comfortable for her not in any horse flesh; I doe also give to Abigaill my wife three cows both which gifts for her to possess and fivety shillings in peas fivety shillings in Indian corne and fivety shillings in pork all at the countey price; my will is also that Abigaill my wife shall have the two ould lower romes and the celler and the leanto for her to dwell in or dispose of all these during the time of her life; I do also give to my son-in-law Thomas Spencer the elder the sum of fivetene pounds to bee paid to him within the space of twoe years after my disease; I doe also give to Samuel Andrews and Elizabeth his wife the sum of fourty pounds to be paid him after the decease of my wife his mother; my parcel of land at Potunck and my household stuff to be to his for partt of that legacy; I doe also give to Sarah Spencer and to Hannah Spencer and to Mary Spencer and to Martha Spencer the fouer daughters of Thomas Spencer the elder the sum of tenn pounds to be equally devided amongst them that is to eather of them fivety shillings to be paid to them after my wife's decease. I do also give to John Andrews twenty shillings; I doe also give to Thomas Andrews twentye shillings to be paid after the discease of my wife their mother; alsoe my will is that my debts and theise legacies may be paid out of my moveable estate that so much as may be of my houseing and other lands may be kept intire. I have desired Paul Peck senior and George Graves to see this my will to bee performed, and i do hereby give to the said Paul Peck and Georg Graves the sum of fourty shillings for each man my debts and these legasyes being paid and my desires in this my will being attended. I go hereby give the remaining part of my estate to Jarrrett Spencer my grandchild whoe is the son of Thomas Spencer the elder; I doe also hereby make the sayd Jarrett my execquitor of this my will. My will also is that Abigaill my wife should have the use of all my household stuff during hir life; my will also is that my execquitor shold kepe all my houseing and barne and fenceing belonging to house and land in repaire; my will is also that what corn or provisions shall be in hand at my discease shall be for Abigail my wife as part of the twenty pounds I have before given hir; my will also is that Abigail my wife shall chose out of my cowes which cowes she will have for the three cowes given hir. In Witness hereof I have hereunto sett my hand dated this 7th of January 1673/4. The inventory of Nathaniel's estate was taken 14 Sep 1674 by Paul Peck, George Grave and Caleb Stanly and was valued at 282.15.10. See Hartford Probate Packets, film #1020549."
4. The book "Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut," Lucius Barnes Barbour, 1982 ed.: "Gerald Spencer, son of Michael and Elizabeth, bp. May 26, 1576 (Eng.) mar. Alice. Children:
William, bp. Oct 11, 1601 m. Agnes.
Thomas, bp. Mch 29, 1607, m/1 (), m/2 Sarah Bearding.
Michael, bp. May 5, 1611.
Gerald, bp Apl 25, 1614, m. Hannah.
5. The book "Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut," Lucius Barnes Barbour, 1982 ed.: "Sgt. Thomas Spencer, son of Gerald and Alice bp. Mch 29, 1607 (Eng.) died Sept. 11, 1687, mar/1 ( ). Mar/2 Sept 11, 1645 (HTR) Sarah Bearding dau. of Nathaniel Bearding. Early member 1st Church [of Hartford]. Name on Founders Monument [in Hartford]. Children by 1st marriage:
Elizabeth, bp. Mch 26, 1648 (HTR) m. Samuel Andrews.
Hannah, b. Apl 25, 1653 (HTR) m/1 Geroge Sexton, m/2 Daniel Brainerd (See Brainerd Gen., p. 32).
Marah/Mary, b. May 18, 1655 (HTR).
Martha, b. Mch 19, 1657-8 (HTR), m. Andrew Benton.
Gerald, m. Hannah Pratt.
Sarah, m. Thomas Huxley.
Children by 2nd marriage:
Obadiah, m. Mary Disbrough.
Thomas of Enfield, m. Esther Andrews.
Samuel.
Cambridge; freeman May 14, 1634; removed in 1639 to Hfd, where he was an original proprietor; his home lot in 1639 was on the east side of Main St., near what is now the junction of Main and Windsor Sts.; served in the Pequot War; chimney viewer 1650; constable north side 1658; surveyor of highways 1672; was sergeant of the train band 1650, and received in 1671 a grant of 60 acres 'for his good service in the country'."
6. The book "The Thomas Spencer Family of Hartford, Connecticut in the Line of Samuel Spencer of Cromwell, Connecticut 1744-1818," comp. by Frank Farnsworth Starr for James J. Goodwin, Hartford, Conn., copy in Connecticut Historical Society Library, Hartford, CT, pp. 13-20:
"In Vol. 1, of the Proprietors Records of Cambridge, Massachusetts, under date of 1635, it is recorded: -
'We whose name are under subscribed, being chosen by the freemen of Newtowne do according to the Order of Court enter the house and lands of the inhabitants thereof in this book appounted for that purpose.
1635 Thomas Spencer... in the town one house with a garden plot and backside, about one rood John Haynes Esq on the Southeast, Long Street Southwest, Creek Lane Northwest, Sp___ Street Northeast.
More, a small-lot hill about two acres, Richard Lord southwest, Sam Dudley on the Southeast, Nathaniel Richares Northeast, the highway to the common pale northwest.
More, in the nect about one acre, the highway to the oyster bank on the northeast, John White northwestk Will Spencer southwest, James Omstead southeast.
More in the same neck about one acre John White northwest, John Prince southwest, James Olmsteed northeast, William Spencer northwest.'
He is supposed to be the Thomas Spencer who took the freeman's oath May 14, 1634. (Mass. Colonial Records, vol. 1, p. 369.) Paige's 'History of Cambridge,' p. 659 states that he was a resident of Cambridge as early as 1633, and his name appears among the list of persons who were to build a 'pale' or fence around the common lands. (Paige's History of Cambridge, p. 11.)
In 1639 he had become a resident of Hartford, Connecticut, as is shown by the following (Hartford, Conn., Land Records, Book of Distributions, p. 155): -
'Viz: One parcell on which was his dwellinge house now standeth w'th yard & gardens therein beinge wc'h was sequestered for Thom: ffisher & is nowe settle on Thoma: Spencer p't whereof he hath sold to Will'm Spenser & now remaineth by Estimacon one acre (more of lesse) abuttinge upon the Centinell hill on the South & upon Rob't Dayes on the East & Will'm Kelsyes land on the North & Rich: Churches land on the West.
One parcell in the westfeild containing by Estimation one acre two roods (more of less) abuttinge upon the highway leading from the Cow pasture to Mr Allens land on the East & Nath: Elyes land on the West & Thom: Woodfords land on the South & the highway to the brickell on the North.
One parcell lyinge in the Souldiers ffeild containinge b Estimacon three roods (more of less) abuttinge upon the riveret on the east & on the swampe on the West & on John Brunsuns land on the South & on Thomas Hales land on the North.
One parcell lyinge in the North Meadow containinge by Estimacon foure acres (more of lesse) abuttinge upon the little river on the west & Rich: Webbs land on the East & Thom: Lords land & Willm Lewis his land on the South & on Thom: Birchoods land on the North.
One parcell lyinge on the East side of the great river containinge by Estimacon one acre two roods (more or lesse) abuttinge on the great river on the west & on Arthur Smiths land on the South & on the South & on the Brooke fallinge into Hockanum Riverett on the East & on Willm Hides land on the North.
Another parcell on the East side of the great river containinge by Estimacon one acre (more or lesse) which is a parcell of that which was sequestred for Mr Woolcott abuttinge upon Thom: Scotts land on the west & on John: Baysees land on the East & on Math: Marvens land on the South & on Thom: Scotts land on the North.
Another parcell lyinge on the East side of the great River containinge by Estimacon foure acres (more or lesse) which he bought of Willm Spenser for a parcell of land wch lay in the middle ox pasture & contianed seaven acres two roods & was parcell of the said Thom: Spensors land wch foure acres abutteth on the Great river on the West and on Willm Spensers land on the South & East & the swamp now common on the North.
One parcell in the cow pasture containinge by Estimacon three acres, two roods, (more of lesse) which cow pasture abutteth on the east feild & on Thom: Standlyes land & on Richard: Goodmans land & on the pine feild on the South & on the land now common on the North: & on the little ox pasture on the West & the neck of land on the East.
One psell lying in the cow pasture contain' by estima' five acres & twenty parches: be it more or less abutting on bywayes on the East & on the West & on Thomas burchardes Land on the South & on ___ land on the North.
One psill lying in the littell ox pasture wch he bought of Nath yela for Land belonging to the sayd Thomas Spencer lying in the west filld contain' by estima' five acres be it more or les Abutting on the cow pasture on the East & on a byway lying North & Soth in that oxe pastuer on the West & on Nickolas Laribes Land on the South & on Thomas Standleas land on the North.
One p sill lying in the littell ox pasture wich he Recaived of Richard goodman for land belonging to the sayd Thomas Spencer: contan' by estim' fower acres & two Roodes be it more or less Abutting on the cow pasture on the East & on a hyway Lying North & South in thatt oxe pastuer on the West & on Edward Elmers land on the North.
Febr. 24 1653 One pcell Lying in the little oxe pasture wch hee bought of Ric: Goodman cont. by estimacon twoe acres (more or less) abutting upon the Cow pasture on the East & on the highway lying North & South in that Oxe pasture on the Est & on John Maynards land on the North & upon land on his owne on the South.
Febr: 24, 1653. More one p cell lying on the East side of the dr: Riv'r wch hee bought of Joseph Eston cont by estimacon four acres (more or less) abutting on the gr: Ryver on the West & on Mr. Olcotts land on the East, & on Ric. Church his land on the North & upon Mr. Moodies land on the South.'
At a Particular Court held March 7, 1649-50, the appointment of Thomas Spencer as one of the sergeants of Hartford was confirmed. (Records of Particular Court, vol. 2, p. 2) He was chosen one of the chimney viewers of Hartford in 1650, Constable in 1657, and Surveyor of Highways in 1672. From the fact that he owned a piece of land in the Soldier's Field, it is believed that he served in the Pequot War of 1637, as none but the soldiers of that war had grants made to them of that land. (Scaeva's Harfod in the Olden Time, pp. 166, 117) Also we find that the General Court of Connecticut in May, 1671, granted him sixty acres of land 'for his good service in the country.' (Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. 2, p. 150.)
He was twice married. Of the first wife nothing is known. He married, second, September 11, 1645, Sarah Bearding, daughter of Nathaniel Bearding, of Hartford. (Nathaniel Bearding, in his will, dated Jan. 7, 1673, mentions 'son in law Thomas Spencer the elder,' 'Sarah Spencer, Hannah Spencer, Mary Spencer, & Martha Spencer the four Daughters of Thomas Spencer the Elder,' 'Jarrett Spencer my Grand child who is the son of Thomas Spencer the Elder.' Hartford, Conn., Probate Records, vol. 3, p. 137.)
Sergeant Thomas Spencer died Sept. 11, 1687, having evidently outlived his wife, as no mention is made of her in his will, which is to be found in Vol. 4, pp. 262,263, of Hartford Probate Records.
A County Court held at Hartford October 26, 1687.
'The last will and Testament of Sarg't Tho Spencer together w'th an Inventory of his estate was exhibeted In court proved & ordered to be recorded & approved by the court.
I Thomas Spencer Senior of Hartford being at p'esent in Good and sownd understanding not knoweing how soone I may be removed hence by death and finding the shadowes of the evening are stretching over me canot but Judg that council of the prophet very seasonable set thy house in order, &c. I doe therefore make ordayn & appoynt this followeing to be my last Will and Testament hereby makeing null & voyd all former wills and Testaments by me made whither by word or writing.
first I commit my soule to God In Jesus Christ my dear savior and redeemer from whom alone I expect salvation and an Inheritance among the Saincts in Light my body to the earth to be decently buried in the comon burying place.
for that estate God hath blessed me with, I bequeath & dispose of it as followeth, - when my Just debts & Funerall expences are fully satisfyed & payd To my eldest son Obadiah I give my housing & land in Hartford, all my lands both meadow & upland on the west side & east side of the Connecticut River within the Bownds of the Township of Hartford to be to him his heires and assigns Imediately after my deceasse & from thence forever he paying out such legacies as I shall appoyntt by this my will.
I give to my sayd son allso one cupboard And Irons warming pan old fann Two forckes peasHook Two axes and an old Hoe.
I give unto my son Thomas the sume of fifteen pownds whereof he hath allready received five pownds, & Obadiah shall pay Ten pownds more to him or his heires in currant pay corn or cattell, to be payd within Two or Three yeares after my decease as he shall be able.
I give unto my son Samuel (he haveing received a good portion of his Unchell) all my wearing apparell of all sorts & kinds.
I give unto my son Jarrad my shop & tooles & Twelve pownds, all which are in his hands & I have possest him with them allready.
The rest of my moveable estate I give unto my five daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Hanna Mary & Martha to be equally divided to them by theire Brother my son Jarrad. I do make my son obadiah Spencer executor of this my last will and Testam't & that he may have a refuge to repayre unto for advice If any difficulty should befall him in the execution of my will I desire Capt'n Jno' Allyn, Ln't Caleb Standly and my cousin Samuel Spencer to be the overseers whom I desire to assist my s'd executor w'th their best advice as occasion may call for it. finally I leave all my children with the Lord & desire his blessing may be their portion, that they may love & serve him & live in love & peace one with another when I shall be gathered to my fathers & for the confirmation of this my will and Testament I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of September 1686. Thomas Spencer ('T.S.' his marks).
S'd Tho Spencer signed & declared the aboe "written to be his last will & Testament In p'ence of us John Allyn hannah Allyn
An Inventory off the Esate of Sejegt Thomas Spencer who deceased the 11th of Septem'r 1687 taken by us whose names are under written.
Imprimas, By Linnin and wollen Apparell hat & shooes & stockings: 5₤ 4s.
By one Cuberd 15s a warming pan 12s Andians 14s: 2₤ 1s.
By two Axses 7s a ffan fforke tine & pese hooke & how: 14s.
The other movable Estate was distributed by him selfe and delivered to his daughters most off itt in his life time and the Remainder before the Inventory was taken as His Executor gave the acc't of s'd estate.
By Six Acres off Land on the East side Coneticutt River att 10lb p achor: 60₤.
By ffower Acres off land in the Long meadow: 20₤.
By ffower Acres off woodland: 2₤.
By his home Lot and Howsing: 50₤.
Totall: 139₤ 19s.
Taken by us Caleb Stanly Aaron Cooke.' (Hartford, Conn., Probate Records, Vol. 4, pp. 134, 262, 263.)
Children of Thomas and ___ Spencer,
I. Obadiah, m. Mary Desborough.
II. Thomas, b. Esther Andrews, and lived in Suffield.
III. Samuel, living Sep. 1686.
Children of Thomas and Sarah (Bearding) Spencer,
I. Garrard, m. 22 Dec 1680, Hannah Pratt, and lived in Hartford.
II. Sarah, m. Thomas Huxley of Hartford and Suffield.
III. Elizabeth, bap. 26 Mar 1648; perhaps m. Samuel Andrews of Hartford.
IV. Hannah, b. 15 Apr 1653, Colony Record; b. 25 Apr 1653, Town Record.
V. Mary, b. 18 May 1655.
VI. Martha, b. 19 Mar 1657; perhaps m. ___ Benton."
7. The book "Spencer Family Record of the Springfield, VT. and Evansville, Wis. Spencers. (Descendants of Garrard Spencer of Haddam, Conn. Emigrant of 1630," by William Henry Spencer, New York, Tobias A. Wright, 1907, children of Gerat Spencer:
"William Spencer, bapt. Oct. 11, 1601, at St. Mary's Parish, Stotfold, emigrated with his three brothers to New England, 1630. Settled in "New Town," now Cambridge, Mass., till 1638, when he moved to Hartford, Conn. Was Selectman, Deputy to Court, a Commissioner to revise the laws, etc. He d. 1640, leaving wife Agnes and three children.
Elizabeth Spencer, bap. Oct. 21, 1602; m. Tomlyers as appears in Richard's will.
John Spencer, bap. June 22, 1604, at Stotford.
Henry Spencer, bap. Aug. 11, 1605, at Stotfold; buried Oct. 20, 1607.
Thomas Spencer, bap. March 29, 1607 at Stotfold; emigrated to New England, 1630, with three brothers. Settled in Cambridge (New Town) till 1637; then moved to Hartford, Conn. Freeman 1634; in Pequoit War 1637; Sergt. Train Band, 1650; he m. (1) ___, who d. 1644; left three sons; m. (2) 1645, Sarah Reading; had six children; he d. 1687.
Richard Spencer, bap. Dec. 11, 1608, at Stotfold; d. May 6, 1614.
Michael Spencer, bap. May 5, 1611, at Stotfold; emigrated ot New England, 1630, with his three brothers. Lived at Cambridge and Lynn, Mass.; d. 1653; had two children. His first wife unknown; m. (2) widow Robbins. It is not known that any descendants of this emigrant brother are living.
Garrard Spencer, bapt. April 25, 1614, at St. Mary's Parish, Stotfold; emigrated to New England, 1630, with his three brothers, Thomas, William, and Michael. Settled in Cambridge till 1637; moved to Lynn, thence to Hartford in 1660, and to Haddam, Conn., in 1662. He was made Freeman in 1637; Ensign of Lynn Train Band, 1636; Deputy from Haddam to General Court from 1674 to 1680. His will of Sept. 17, 1683, probated in 1685, at Hartford."
8. Partial excerpt from the biography of William Spencer from the book "The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633," Volumes I-III (see notes of William Spencer for full citation):
"William Spencer
Origin: Stotfold, Bedfordshire
Migration: 1631
First Residence: Cambridge
Removes: Hartford 1639
Estate: ...The estate of William Spencer, deceased, was brought to court 24 June 1650 and, "with the information of the overseers in the presence of Thomas Spencer, brother to the said William..." [RPCC 85-86].
Birth: Baptized Stotfold, Bedfordshire, 11 October 1601, son of Gerrard and Alice (Whitbread) Spencer [TAG 27:162]...
Associations: William Spencer was brother of Thomas Spencer of Cambridge and Hartford, and of Michael Spencer and Gerard Spencer of Lynn [TAG 27:79-87, 161-65]..."
9. "The American Genealogist," Vol. 27 "The Four Spencer Brothers: Their Ancestors and Descendants," compiled by Donald Lines Jacobus, M. A., pp. 162-63:
"Sergt. Thomas1 Spencer, baptized at Stotfold, Beds, England, 29 Mar. 1607, died at Hartford, Conn., 11 Sept. 1687; will 9 Sept. 1637; married first, Ann Derifield, born about 1610; married second, at Hartford, 11 Sept. 1645, Sarah Bearding, who died before 1674, daughter of Nathaniel Bearding.
The will of Barnabas Derifield of Braintree, Mass., proved in 1680, gave all his estate to his kinsman Samuel Spencer, who was to pay to his brothers Obadiah and Thomas Spencer 40s. each. Since these were the three sons of Sergt. Thomas by his unidentified first wife, and since the will of Sergt. Thomas cuts off his son Samuel with little, "he having received a good portion from his Uncle," it follows that the first wife was sister of Barnabas Derifield. Full details of this connection will appear in an article by Mrs. W. C. Clark in New England Hist, and Gen. Register (July 1951).
The will of Sergt. Thomas Spencer made his "cousin" Samuel Spencer [his nephew, No. 10] an overseer.
Children by first wife:
i. Obadiah2, b. ca. 1639; d. May 1712.
ii. Thomas, b. ca. 1641; d. 23 July 1689.
iii. Samuel, b. ca. 1643; d. 8 Jan. 1726/7.
Children by second wife:
iv. Sarah, b ca. 1646; d. 24 Oct. 1712; m. Thomas Huxley, who d. at Suffield, 21 July 1721.
v. Elizabeth, bp. 26 Mar. 1648; m. Samuel Andrews, bp. at Hartford, 21 Oct. 1645, d. there Jan. 1711/12, son of William and Elizabeth.
vi. Jared (Gerard), b. ca. 1650-1; d. 1712.
vii. Hannah, b. 15 Apr. 1653; m. (1) George Sexton, Jr.; m. (2) 29 Nov. 1698, Daniel Brainerd, Sr.
viii. Mary, b. 18 May 1655; d. at Westfield, Mass., 4 Nov. 1690; m. 7 Oct. 1675, Thomas Root, who d. 16 Aug. 1709, son of John.
ix. Martha, b. 19 Mar. 1658; m. Andrew Benton, bp. at Milford, 12 Aug. 1653, d. at Hartford, 5 Feb. 1703/4."
10. "The American Genealogist," 27:161: "The Four Spencer Brothers: Their Ancestors and Descendants," by Donald Lines Jacobus:
"The New England Spencers made efforts to obtain payment of the £50 apiece bequeathed to them by their uncle, Richard Spencer of London, whose chief heir and executor was their cousin, Daniel Spencer of London. On 8 (11) 1648, i.e. 8 Jan. 1648/9, Garrard [Gerard] Spencer appointed Thomas Broughton of Watertown, Mass., and Samuel King of London, England, his attorneys to collect his legacy under the last will of Richard Spencer, late of London, linen draper, deceased and the same date, "Michaell Spencer of Linne" did likewise ["Aspinwall Notarial Records" (1903), 182, 190]. On 19 Jan. 1648, i.e. 1648/9, Michaell Spenser (as he signed his name) signed in Boston a bill of exchange to Mr. Thomas Ruck, "haberdasher att the Seauen starres on London bridge," for £30, "part of the Legacy gyuen mee by my Unckle Richard Spencer," and directed to "my Louinge Cousen, Mr Danyell Spenser Grocer in Friday Streete in London." This bill of exchange was protested, 5 Apr. 1650, by a London notary, who swore that upon presentation "the said Danyell Spencer answered, that hee will pay noe monneyes nor haue to doe with the sayd bill of exchange." [Quarterly Courts of Essex County," 4:385; quoted also in Waters, op. cit., 515.]
The cousin Daniel Spencer was at death of Cony Hatch, Co. Middlesex, citizen and grocer of London, and left a will dated 26 July 1665, proved 6 Nov. 1668 [Waters, op. cit., 913]. He evidently died a wealthy man, mentioning messuages or lands in Lothbury, near Greene's Court, London; in Hitchin, Hippoletts and Preston, co. Hertford, including the Red Lion Inn in Hitchin; in Gravesend and Rochester, Kent, and in Tilbery, Essex. He named wife Sarah; eldest son Samuel; son Daniel; daughters Rebecca and Hannah Spencer; daughters Mary wife of Thomas Thatch and Anne wife of William Tilsley; and kinsman William Carter. The son Samuel died by 1674, leaving a widow Rebecca and daughter Mary Spencer. No mention was made of the American cousins.
Whether the legacies were ever collected, we are not prepared to state. The amount at stake was sufficient to have made it worth the trouble and cost of suing through an attorney in England. Possibly a search of Chancery records would reveal something of interest. An action of this nature, naming the parties at interest, would be of immense value if brought after the death of Michael Spencer in 1653, for it should name his surviving Children. We have full records of the families of the other three brothers, but, as we shall presently see, the New England records are very defective with respect to the children of Michael Spencer.
Before concluding this chapter, it seems advisable to dispose of an error which occurs in many printed sources to the effect that the four Spencer brothers were accompanied to New England by a fifth brother, the John who was baptized at Stotfold, 22 Jan. 1603/4.
It has already been pointed out that neither John nor his heirs were named in the will of his uncle Richard and that he consequently had probably died without issue prior to 1645-6. Nevertheless, he has often been identified with a Mr. John Spencer, who came on the "Mary and John," 1634, settled at Newbury, Mass., which he represented in the General Court, 1635; was made Captain in 1637; was a follower of Wainwright and accused of heresy and returned to England in 1638. His will, made 1 Aug. 1637, "before Mr. Spencer's going to England," was proved 29 Mar. 1649. He made his chief heir his nephew John Spencer, with remainder to the testator's brother Thomas Spencer and his children, and children of his brother Nicholas Kidwel and sister Rachel Kidwel and mentioned also the children of his cousin Anne Knight of Newbury, and of his cousin Gardner.
Austin in his "Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island" (p. 186) suggests that John Spencer, head of the Rhode Island family, may have been son of Michael [of Stotfold and Lynn] and also may have been identical with the nephew John named in the will of John of Newbury. With the first of these suggestions we are in accord, since there is evidence for placing John of Rhode Island as son of Michael, but he was not the nephew of John of Newbury. The records have been so long available in print that we consider it unnecessary here to repeat the full details, which may be found by consulting "The Probate Records of Essex County, 1:107-8; Waters, "Genealogical Gleanings in England," 467-8, 553; and "Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire," 650-1. The following pedigree of the family of John Spencer of Newbury is based on these sources. There were two brothers and one sister:
i. Thomas Spencer, gent., b. ca. 1593 by age stated in marriage license; bur. at Kingston-upon-Thames, Co. Surrey, 29 June 1648; m. at St. Peter's, Paul's Wharf, 25 Sept. 1623, Penelope (Jernegan) Fillioll, bapt. at Shalford, Essex, 24 Oct. 1591, widow of Western Fillioll, by whom she had a daughter Anne Fillioll who was living unmarried in 1656. The will of Thomas, dated 22 June 1648, was proved 23 Aug. 1648. Children, bapt. at Chertley, Surrey (dates not given in sources consulted):
1. John, eldest son; heir of his uncle John of Newbury, Mass.; apparently came to New England, but d. in Jamaica, W. I., unm., before Dec. 1656 when adm'n on his estate was granted to his half-sister Anne Filliol, his mother Penelope, brother Thomas and sister Rachel Spencer having renounced.
2. Thomas, a physician, of Plymouth, co. Devon.
3. Penelope, m. at Newbury, Mass., 15 Jan. 164-, John Treworgye and left descendants in New England. It is of interest that their son James named a daughter Penelope and had a grandson named Spencer Treworgye.
4. Rachel, living unm. in 1656.
ii. John, of Newbury, Mass.; dignified in the records by the prefix of respect (Mr.); returned to England, and bur. at Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, 23 June 1648, six days before his brother Thomas. His will was proved in Essex County, Mass. (supra).
iii. Rachel, m. Nicholas Kydwell of Kingston-upon-Thames, whose will, dated 25 July 1676, was proved 16 Sept. 1679. Only surviving Child:
1. Rachel, m. John Gatton."
10. FHL book 929.273 Sp33 "The Spencers of the Great Migration," by Jack Taif Spencer and Edith Woolley Spencer (Gateway Press, Baltimore; 1997) vol. 1, pp.157-179:
"Chapter XI
Sgt. Thomas Spencer (1607-1687), A PIONEER of CAMBRIDGE and HARTFORD
I. The Family of Thomas1 Spencer
The Family of Thomas1 Spencer (1607-1687) and (1) Ann Derifall (Derifield) (ca.1610-1645) and (2) Sarah Bearding (Barding, Berden); d. before 1674; dau. of Nathaniel Bearding. Ann Derifall was a sister of Barnabas Derifall of Braintree, Massachusetts.
Children by Ann Derifall
Obadiah2 Spencer (Thomas1, GerardA, MichaelB, JohnC-D, RobertE, JohnF, RobertG, ThomasH, HenryI).
b. ca. 1639 at Hartford, CT. Took Freeman's at Hartford 20 May 1658.
m. Mary DISROWE (Disborough), dau. of Nicholas Disbrowe. Mary d before 1709. They had seven children.
d. May 1712 at Hartford, CT.
Thomas2 Spencer (Thomas1).
b. ca. 1641 at Hartford, CT.
m. Esther2 Andrews. She d. 6 Mar 1698 at Suffield, CT. Esther was the dau. of William1 Andrews and Abigail (Graves) Andrews of Hartford, CT.
d. 23 July 1689 at Suffield, CT.
Samuel2 Spencer (Thomas1).
b. ca. 1643 at Hartford, CT.
m. Sarah ___ (ca.1660-1733). She d. at Windham, CT.
d. 24 Oct 1727 at Windham, CT.
Children by Sarah Bearding
Sarah2 Spencer (Thomas1).
b. ca. 1646.
m. Thomas HUXLEY at Suffield, CT. He d. 21 July 1721 at Suffield. A dau. Elizabeth Huxley m. James King who was b. 14 March 1675 at Ipswich, MA. James d. 15 July 1757 at Suffield. He had a large landed estate.
d. 24 Oct 1712.
Elizabeth2 Spencer (Thomas1).
bp. 26 Mar 1648 at Hartford, CT.
m. Samuel2 Andrews of Hartford. Samuel Jan. 1712 at Hartford.
d. ?
Gerard2 Spencer (Thomas1).
b. ca 1651.
m. Hannah PRATT (1658-1692) on 22 Dec 1680, dau. of John Pratt.
d. 1712 at Hartford, CT.
Hannah2 Spencer (Thomas1).
b. 15 April 1653 at Hartford, CT.
m. (1) George SEXTON, Jr. m. (2) Daniel BRAINERD, Sr. Nov. 1698.
d. 1713
Mary2 Spencer (Thomas1).
b. 18 May 1655 at Hartford, CT.
m. Thomas ROOT, 7 Oct 1675. He was of Westfield, MA, son of John Root. He d. 16 Aug 1709.
d. 4 Nov 1690 at Westfield, MA.
Martha2 Spencer (Thomas1).
b. 19 Mar 1658 at Hartford, CT.
m. Andrew BARTON (BENTON), Jr. (1653-1704).
II. THE EARLY DAYS IN NEWE TOWNE (CAMBRIDGE)
Sgt. Thomas1 Spencer was descended from a long line of Spencers and "DeSpencers" whose ancestry in England dates back to 1066 A.D. and the Norman invasion of England. In the Middle Ages, the DeSpencers ranked amongst the most powerful nobility In the realm and some were among the closest to the monarchy. Over the centuries, there were several major Spencer lines, including the ancestors of WINSTON Spencer CHURCHill and PRINCESS DIANA. The line leading down to Sgt. Thomas Spencer included the long-time residents of Bedfordshire and the small towns of EDWORTH and later STOTFOLD. The parents of Sgt. Thomas at Stotfold were GerardA Spencer and Alice Whitbread, the latter a sister of William Whitbread who was the gr gr grandfather of Samuel Whitbread, 1720-1796, who founded the famous brewery company of modern England.
GerardA Spencer and Alice (Whitbread) Spencer had a large family of eight children, the majority of whom were among the earliest emigrants to New England. These children were born and reared in a period of cataclysmic religious conflicts between the Puritans and the established Anglican Church of England. This conflict was preceded by an earlier struggle spearheaded by Henry VIII in which the reign of Catholicism in England was brought to its knees. The early Spencer emigrants were participants in the Puritan revolution which was to result in the destruction of the English monarchy and the execution of Charles I in 1649. However, Thomas1 Spencer and his siblings were to be more involved in the Puritan domination of New England than in the great Civil War of the 1640s in their home country. Religious conflict, nevertheless, was not entirely left behind in England. In New England, also, there was to be much opposition to the extreme intolerance and rigidity of the Puritans extending over several decades.
In 1630 or 1631, when the Spencer siblings made their arrival in New England (Elizabeth perhaps in 1629), they were all very young adults and all of the males were unmarried. William1 Spencer, the oldest, was about age 30. The second sibling, Elizabeth, was about 27 years of age and most likely already married to Timothy Tomlins of Gloucestershire. Elizabeth1 Spencer very likely came to the New World at least one or two years in advance of her four brothers, settling first at Salem and later at Lynn. Thomas1 Spencer, the subject of this article, was 23 years of age in 1630 and came to New England as a young bachelor. Michael1 Spencer was 19 and Gerard1 was was only 16 years of age. We believe that all four brothers probably came at the same time (1630?) in the first vessels of the Winthrop Fleet. All of their names appear in the very early records of Newe Towne (Cambridge), Massachusetts.
In the past, some historians have believed that the Spencer brothers were members of the famous "Braintree Company" of County Essex, England, whose members first settled at Wollaston (Quincy) south of Boston. There is clear evidence now (records of the General Court at Newe Towne) that William1 Spencer already was at Cambridge at least one year before the Braintree Company came to that town in the late summer of 1632. Hence, the Spencer siblings did not have a close affiliation with the Rev. Thomas Hooker, the leader of the Braintree Company. Indeed, both William1 and Thomas1 seem not to have been in the first and second contingents (or perhaps a third) of Hooker's congregation which went to Hartford in 1635 and 1636. Thomas, nevertheless, was a member from Hartford of Major JohnMASON's army which fought the Pequot War of 1637. William Spencer, a leading figure in Cambridge, does not appear among the Hartford residents until about 1638 (or more likely 1639), perhaps attracted by the presence of his brother Thomas who apparently had become an "inhabitant" by virtue of his service in the Pequot War.
As to the early years in Newe Towne (Cambridge), Thomas1 Spencer definitely was a property owner despite the fact that he probably was unmarried. Unlike his brother William1, Thomas played no important role in the civic affairs related to the General Court (ruling body of the Massachusetts Bay Company) or to the Selectmen who governed the local affairs of Newe Towne. Thomas was first mentioned in the list of owners of Newe Towne required to have fences (palings) on 7 January 1633. He was recognized as a Freeman on 12 May 1634, a clear indication that he had become a member of the Church prior to achieving "Freeman" status. The town records (Proprietors' Records) described his Property as "in the towne one house with a gardent plott and Backside one roode John Haynes Esq. on the southeast Long streete southwest Creeke Lane northwest Springe street northeast". Other property belonging to Thomas was listed as (1) "small Lott hill"; (2) "in the Necke about one acer the highway to the oyster Banke"; and (3) "moore in the same necke about one acer". An early map of Newe Towne identifies the Thomas Spencer home site between Mt. Auburn St. and Winthrop St.
The "Proprietors' Records" of Newe Towne fail to identify accurately the exact date on which Thomas1 sold his property in Cambridge. We do know that most of the properties in the town changed hands in 1635 and 1636 when nearly one hundred percent of the inhabitants followed Rev. Hooker to establish Hartford. The entry for the sale of the Thomas1 Spencer property reads: "Edmond Angier. Bought of Thomas Spencer one house with Garden plot and backside about one Roode Mr. Glover southeast Long street, southwest, Creek lane north west, Spring street norheast."
There was no description of other acreage which Thomas owned outside of the town boundaries.
In attempting to discover the year in which Thomas actually went to Hartford, it seems clear that he was in the contingent from Hartford (Memorial History) which fought under the command of Maj. JohnMASON in the Pequot War of 1637. It is possible that he had the rank of "Sergeant" in this conflict because this title was used with his name in the Hartford land distribution records which were made in 1639 (handwriting of William1 Spencer). The lot which Thomas ultimately occupied on Sentinel Hill was first assigned to Thomas FISHER whose name does not appear among the participants under Mason's command in the War. I n any event, could this mean that Thomas Spencer still retained some ties to Cambridge? We do know that his brother William was still at Cambridge as late as 1638.
Another possible "time marker" for Thomas was his marriage to Ann Derifall. Ann was a maid servant in the family of William Coddington, a powerful figure in the MBC (Massachusetts Bay Company) both in England and in New England. Ann did not reach New England until 1634 and probably first lived with her brother Barnabas Derifall at Braintree (just south of Boston). The Coddingtons had a home in Braintree, hence the likely Derifall-Coddington connection. Coddington proved to be a strong dissident in the Puritan church and a supporter of Anne Hutchinson. As a result of the split, Coddington removed to Rhode Island in 1638. This event seems to tie in well for the probable marriage date of Thomas Spencer and Ann Derifall because their first child was born about 1639.
All of the foregoing "time markers" would seem to suggest a delayed arrival of Thomas1 Spencer as an actual "inhabitant" of Hartford, although it is certain that he was definitely under the command of Maj. John Mason in the War of 1637.
II. THE WORLD AROUND THOMAS1 SPENCER IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
Thomas Spencer (1607-1687) lived to a remarkably advanced age (80 years) ma period when many or perhaps most adults enjoyed a longevity of only four or five decades. Of course, he was an active worker in his lifetime and not committed to the sedentary existence which characterizes much of the population in the present day. What was the nature of the world in which he lived? We will not attempt to describe the hardships of the frontier in which he existed, but rather to examine the broader picture of the Puritan culture. We do know that in the early years of the Connecticut colony that daily life was dominated by the rigidity of the Puritans and their extreme intolerance for any deviation from the rules they had laid down. That there was considerable opposition to this central dominance is evidenced by the disaffection of Thomas Hooker, ROGER WilliamS, Anne Hutchinson, William Coddington, and others. During this same period, there was so much disaffection in England with the Church of England and with the monarchy that the dissension was to reach a climax in a great civil war beginning in 1642.
On the American continent, there was a continuing conflict with many Indian tribes during most of the century, paralleled by settlers fighting one another on a broad front. The rivalry between the Dutch and English led to three Anglo-Dutch wars on a wide scale. The struggle in America focused on control of New Netherland (New York). The Dutch expansion was not only north along the Hudson River Valley, but also extended up into the Connecticut River Valley (Fort Good Hope). The strife continued between the Dutch and the Connecticut settlers clear up to 1650, at which time the "Treaty of Hartford" finalized the boundary between New Netherland and the New England Confederacy.
While all of these conflicts were spreading in the East, the French did a "run around" New England by fortifying Nova Scotia and extending their explorations westward to the Great Lakes. By 1674, La Salle was exploring the Mississippi and building forts along that stream. By 1682, La Salle had reached the mouth of the Great River, future site of New Orleans. All of this expansion by the French in North America was but a prelude to the great struggle of the 18th century between the English and Americans on the one hand and the French and their Indian allies on the other (the French and Indian War). Thousands of frontiersmen lost their lives in this epic struggle until the final defeat of the French in 1760. Now the way was open to the American revolt in 1775 against the British and the years of struggle which were to persist until the great American victory at Yorktown in 1783.
Returning to the 1600s, there were continuing struggles in both Connecticut and Massachusetts with the British Crown over the degree of independence to be enjoyed by the colonists. The situation was compounded by the alternating swing of power between Parliament and the Crown in the mid-1600s. After the end of the Cromwellian Protectorate in 1660, John Winthrop Jr. sought and obtained a royal charter for the colony of Connecticut. This was one of several charters enjoyed by colonial governments up to 1687 when the English under James II attempted to abolish all such charters and establish the "Dominion of New England".
There is a famous story connected with the Connecticut charter which featured the humiliation of SIR EDMUND ANDROS governor of a II of the new "Dominion". Andros came to Hartford to seize the charter of 1662, but was foiled by the locals when they spirited the charter to safe keeping, presumably hiding it in the famous Charter Oak of Hartford. In any event, the New England "Dominion" collapsed and Sir Edmund returned to England. James II fled the throne in favor of William and Mary of Holland - the "Great Revolution" of 1688. The New England colonies quickly reverted to "normalcy". (The death of Thomas1 Spencer occurred about a month before the disappearance of the Connecticut Charter at Hartford in October of 1687).
While the strains with the London government reached fever pitch in the late 1600s, Connecticut and Massachusetts continued the long struggle with some of the Indian tribes, culminating in the "King Philip's War" of 1675 which extended for a period of two years. Several of the colonial towns were destroyed by the followers of King Philip. The Hartford militiamen under the command of Maj. JohnTALCOTT, Jr. played a major role in subduing the Indian forces.
Coverage of the major events of the 1600s would be incomplete without a brief mention of the rise of the Quakers in New England. As early as 1652, the Quakers were banned from Boston and it was not until 1681 when William PENN received a charter from Charles II that the Quaker momentum began to make itself felt in New England. There were still many instances throughout the colonies where any favoritism shown to the Quakers was staunchly condemned.
II. THOMAS1 SPENCER IN THE HARTFORD ENVIRONMENT
There is no question that life in Hartford was extremely difficult in the first few years on the frontier. Yet, it is quite amazing how quickly the shift was made from "dugout huts" along the Connecticut River to log cabins and then to frame houses. The swiftness of this transition undoubtedly was due to the presence of several skilled artisans in the community who had acquired their expertise back in England. The wealthiest man in Hartford, George WYLLYS, almost immediately (1636) started the construction of a nine-room residence which became one of the most elegant homes in all of New England. It appears that substantial structures also were raised for the first Meeting House and for the home of the Rev. Thomas Hooker. We must recall that there was no so-called "church" in these new settlements, but rather the usage of a very unpretentious Meeting House for religious purposes.
The settlement of Hartford in the earliest days was divided into two "Plantations", one north of the Little River and one south of it. The inhabitants essentially were the "body politic" in that as a group they issued town orders, laid out the roads, and set the tax "rates". Very quickly, however, the two plantations (1637) established a plan of government reminiscent of that used by the Massachusetts Bay Company at Cambridge and Boston. A "General Court" was created consisting of eight "Assistants" to govern the entire Plantation, both north and south.
The first General Court met in May of 1637 and faced an immediate crisis in the form of the impending Pequot War. On 23 April 1637, many of the settlers at Wethersfield (just south of Hartford) had been surprised while working in the fields and had been massacred by the Pequots. The local Sukiag Indians at Hartford had remained friendly to the settlers as did the Narragansetts farther to the east. The Connecticut colony raised a contingent of 90 men to serve in the War, the majority of whom came from Hartford. The Pequot War lasted for only a short period, but it was highlighted by the skill of the leader of the troops and the complete destruction of the Pequot menace.
The settlement at Hartford reached another milestone in 1639 when it passed from the "Plantation" stage to that of a "Town" when a more formal organization was adopted.
The identification of the earliest land owners was clarified in 1639 when the then Town Clerk, William1 Spencer, prepared the list of names and the allocation of acreage to each. There 15 something of a mystery as to how this process was accomplished, but one historian (Love) has asserted that the divisions were made according to one's estate, social standing, occupation, family, public service, convenience, and ability to improve the land. It would seem impossible to find any additional factor which was concerned in the allotments. Because of the necessity for the town to be self sufficient, especially for food, it was necessary that everyone have an agricultural pursuit, even though on a part time basis. There was, of course, a great demand for skilled workers, but even these had to devote some time to food production. Those persons who came as late arrivals had no prior claim to land such as that enjoyed by the "inhabitants". However, since many skilled workers were needed, they usually were given a small allocation of land "by courtesy of the town".
Some of the agricultural practices were reminiscent of customs which prevailed in the old manorial systems of the Middle Ages in England. This was true especially in regard to animal husbandry where the livestock was kept in common (branded) and individuals were selected to act as shepherds, cow herders, ox tenders, and the like. The land on which the animals grazed also was held in common and on the 1640 map of Hartford, large areas were designated as "cow pasture", "ox pasture", and the like. Areas also were designated for haying under the supervision of a "hayward".
It was not long, however, before these same areas were divided among the original proprietors of the town. Very rapidly, also, there was a flood of land transactions, especially after 1640, when it became legal for residents of at least four years to engage in the selling and buying of properties. This pattern is well illustrated in the case of Thomas1 Spencer where his transactions in the Hartford records (Land Distribution) require several pages for a complete listing. (This record will be the subject of a future article). This long record for Thomas may seem surprising when as we shall see, he was a well known woodworker for a span of several decades.
Church life in the time of Thomas Spencer was a dominant feature in the daily life of the early settlers. Most of the Sundays were consumed by double services, followed later in the week by Thursday lectures. Actually, there was no church edifice as we know of it today, but only a plain Meeting House. The latter was one of the first structures to be erected in the town, indicating its prime importance.
The discipline and intolerance of the Church leaders can be illustrated by many examples, including some which must have been of real concern to Thomas Spencer and his near kin folk. For example, Thomas had served in the Pequot War alongside Nicholas DISBROWE (DESBOROUGH) and later both of them had a long association as fellow woodworkers. Also, there was an intermarriage between the oldest son of Thomas (Obadiah2) and Mary, a daughter of Nicholas Disbrowe. In 1640, the wife of Nicholas was accused of "wanton dalliance" with three men. One of the men, Nicholas OLMSTED, served time in the pillory.
Despite the religious discipline, it did not seem to place many inhibitions on drinking, except for instances of open drunkenness. Imbibing seemed commonplace in these early days and indeed taverns were a focal point for social activity. This too came somewhat close to Thomas Spencer, but not in Hartford. I n Lynn, his brother-in-law, Timothy TOMLYNS (husband of Elizabeth1 Spencer) operated a "house of entertainment" in the early years of that town.
One historian (Weaver) reported that the first tavern in Hartford was operated under the ownership of DISBROW Spencer in 1644. The tavern was located near the town landing on the River. (This assertion does not fit the genealogy, since the only known "Disbrow" lived from 1679 to 1763, son of Obadiah2).
IV. Thomas Spencer AS A WOODWorker and Town OFFICIAL of HARTFORD
Sgt. Thomas Spencer I s best known in the history of Hartford and New England as a chairmaker, although he also held a number of civic positions in the town during his long life. These civic and military positions included the following:
1637 - a soldier in the Pequot War.
1650 - Appointed Sergeant in the Hartford trainband although he seems to have held a similar rank with John Mason's troops in 1637.
1650 - Constable of Hartford, north side.
1671 - Received grant of sixty acres "for his good service to the country".
1672 - Surveyor of highways for Hartford.
As an artisan in woodworking and in chair-making, the efforts of Thomas Spencer and Nicholas DISBROWE were probably unexcelled for many years in the Connecticut River Valley. Just how early this skill was demonstrated by Thomas Spencer seems difficult to pinpoint. Since Thomas was a "turner" (contrasted with a "joiner" such as Nicholas DISBROWE), it is obvious that his shop had to be equipped with a lathe. One historian (Henry Spencer) has theorized that he may have brought such equipment from England. If such was the case, there seems to be no historical evidence that he pursued a "turner's" skill in Cambridge before he emigrated to Hartford. Also, we do not know when this skill became apparent in Hartford.
In Trent's comprehensive summary (1984) of the Spencer shops in Hartford, he presents many illustrations of the chairs attributed to Thomas Spencer and his descendants. Most of these chairs fall in the period of the 1750s, hence are much later than the era of Thomas1 who died in 1687. Indeed, of the thirteen chairs illustrated by Trent, only one is directly attributed to the joint effort of Thomas Spencer and Nicholas DISBROWE. This is the so-called "Winthrop Great Chair" which was made for the ceremony to honor John2 WINTHROP in 1662 when he returned from England with a royal charter granted to Connecticut.
It is most impressive that the dynasty of the Spencer shops lasted until about 1830 when it gradually gave way to lighter furniture and to factory-produced models. During this long period, however, the influence of the Spencer shops was felt throughout the Connecticut Valley, especially to the northward of Hartford and extending into Massachusetts. For example, two Pease brothers (John and Joseph) in Enfield and Suffield married two of the granddaughters of Thomas1 Spencer (Elizabeth3 and Mary3 Spencer). Both Pease brothers were known as well qualified joiners and/or carpenters. Of course, Thomas2 Spencer was one of the pioneers of Suffield, but he left no evidence of woodworking talents. His son, William3 Spencer(1677-1745), was listed in 1724 as a "chairmaker".
Perhaps too much emphasis has been placed on "chairmaking" in these notes on the Spencer shops of Hartford. Indeed, there was a wide demand for many commonplace. items which a "turner" could manufacture. Some examples could be kitchen utensils, handles, wheel spokes, stair railings, and similar items.
The Spencers mainly concerned with these developments over a span of at least a century and a half included Gerard2 Spencer
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1607 - 1687 (~ 80 years)