Family History

TWELFTH GENERATION - Thomas Spicer

Thomas SPICER was christened on 13 Feb 1591/2 in Barfreston, Kent, England. (Spycer, Thomas, Son of Nicholas).1 

He immigrated about 1638. He died on 4 Nov 1658 in Gravesend, Long Island, New York State. 
 
He was married 1st to Ann GRANT on the 5 Feb 1626/7 at St. Mary's, Sandwich, Kent, England.
[Diocese of Canterbury Marriage Licence - Thomas Spicer of Barfreston, and Ann Grant of S. Mary's in Sandwich. At S. Mary's. Feb 4 1626.]2
Ann was buried on the 29 Sep 1635 at St. Peter's Sandwich, Kent.1

It would appear that Thomas and Ann were either using a church whose parish registers are no longer extant or they were non-conformists such as Quakers already. At this time Quakers were buried in their local Church of England graveyard if the Quakers didn't have their own burial ground. This would appear to be the case as there are no baptisms for Thomas & Ann's children in Sandwich, but there are the burials in St. Peter Sandwich of Ann and her "chrisome child" (i.e. unbaptised, meaning the child died soon after birth. And also another possible child Martha buried there in 1634, however no notation was made as to the age or parents.
The lack of baptisms for the children of Thomas & Ann can only give rise to the reasonable speculation that Susanna was born to them in this period. 

He was married 2nd to Michal JENKINS nee WETHERLEY  (Witherlie, Weatherly etc.) on the 7 Feb 1635/6 at St. Clements, Sandwich, Kent, England.1 
[Diocese of Canterbury Marriage Licence - Thomas Spicer of S. Peter's in Sandwich, maltster, widr., about 43, and Micoll Jenkins of S. Clement's in Sandwich, w. of John Jenkins "sometimes of London". dec At S. Clements. Feb 5 1635.]2

Whilst I haven't found any documentary proof linking Thomas Spicer of America with Thomas Spicer of Kent, England, I feel that the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. Micall is a most unusual name for a woman, and for two Thomas Spicer's to marry a woman of this name, in the exact time frame, is virtually impossible. Also Thomas & Micall of Kent had a son Samuel baptised as below. I have no hesitation is saying they are one and the same Thomas & Micall..

I would also like to make the point at this stage of saying, that Susannah (who married. Henry Brasier / Breser) is not the daughter of Thomas & Micall but of the first marriage between Thomas & Ann Grant. Susannah married in 1644, making it impossible that she was a daughter by the 2nd marriage in 1635/6. Therefore most published genealogies are wrong in ascribing Micall as Susannah's mother instead of Ann Grant.

Thomas is first recorded settling at Newport, Rhode Island. 

1639 - Admitted as an inhabitant of Newport.

30 Apr 1639 - Town of Portsmouth
We, whose names are under [written doe acknowledge] ourselves the legall subjects of [his Majestie] King Charles, and in his name [doe hereby binde] ourzelves into a civill body politicke, unto his lawes according to matters of justice. Samuel Spicer (amongst 29 signaturies).
['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.70.]

1639 - Town of Portsmouth
At a meeting held last Thursday (day & month not stated), it is ordered, that no man shall sell his lot or offer it to ye boddy here in Portsmouth.
It is ordered, that John Porter and Thomas Spicer shall [receive from ye] inhabitants of ye lastly purchase meddows, theire monies for this yeare, and bring it to ye [Towne].
['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.71.]

1639 - Town of Portsmouth
At a quarter meeting of the first of ye 5th month, 1639.
[It is agreed], that every man that hath a house lott shall build upon the same within one [yeare after, or] he loseth it.
Mr. Thomas Spicer and Robert Potter are chosen surveyors for ye highways and ................... this, and in two, foure, or six dayes at ............. this, and ye 29 of 7th month next; or procure a man, he ...............  day to ye surveyor, and the surveyors to [make report to] ye Court at ye yeares end.
It is agreed upon, to call this town Portsmouth.
['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.72.]

1639, 1st of the 8th month - Town of Newport
A catalogue of such [persons], who, by the Generall consent of the Company were admitted to be Inhabytants of the Island now called Aqueedneck, having submitted themselves to the Government that it shall be established, according to the words of God therein.
Thomas Spicer (14th in list of names.)
['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pgs.90, 91.]

12 Apr 1640 - Town of Newport
By Election 
Item 9. It is ordered, that to the number of five men shall be chosen to lay out the Lands belonging to the Towne of Portsmouth, and three for Nieuport.
Item 10. By order of the Courte, John Sanford, Adam Mott, Thomas Spicer, Richard Burden, and Philip Shearman, are chosen to the service of laying out the Lands for the Towne of Portsmouth.
['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pgs.101, 102.]

16th Mar 1641 - Town of Newport
The Court Roll of Freeme, with the officers, as they were Elected on the 16th of March, 1641.
Thomas Spicer (17th on the list)
['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.110.]

16th & 17th March 1642 - Town of Newport
At the Generall Court of Election held on the 16th and 17th of March, att Newport, 1642.
Mr. Thom. Spicer is chosen Threa'r of Portsmouth for one whole year, &c. (or till a new be chosen).
['Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England' Vol.1 pg.120.]

As Thomas starts to appear in the New York records in 1643 it would therefore appear that he moved from Rhode Island to Long Island, New York with the party led by Lady Deborah Moody. She had organized a party to settle a new community under guidance of the
Dutch Colony of New Netherlands. She, with her fellow colonists moved to Long Island, and started a settlement at a place named Gravesend, a name given it by the Dutch Director Kieft.
['Long Island Historical Bulletin' April 1913]

Says Steyvesant in 1653 - "Elbert Elbertson and Thomas Spicer, from Amersfoort, usurped their lands many years ago without any deed.......... They are occupying such lands in said village fifteen to twenty years"
['History of New Netherland' by E.B. O'Callaghan, V.1 pg.173. - Hol. Doc. v.,398]

25 Jun 1643
Lease. Arent van Curler, Secretary of Rensselaerswyck, to Thomas Spicer, of a bouwery with house, barn, tobacco house, &c., (with) Inventory of what Mr. Van Curler delivered to Mr. Spicer. Vol. II, pg.62.   
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.23]

7 Jul 1644 (see next entry for relevance)
Declaration. Peter Jansen, that he was told by Mr. Middeler, on the river Rappahanock in 1643, that the bark belonging to Mr. Throgmorton and Peter Louwrens, was the property of Sir Edmund Pleydeon, Knt. Vol. II, pg.119
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.28]

8 Jul 1644
Court Proceedings. Mr. Moor vs. Mr. Spyser, in a case of attachment on a bark belonging to Peter Lourensen and Mr. Trockmorton; Lourensen is condemned to deliver the bark to Spicer agreeably to the power of attorney, on condition that the latter give security for the value of the vessel, in case Mt. Moor hereafter prove that the owner is indebted to him, when the money must be returned. Vol. IV, pg. 193, 194.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.89]

21 Sep 1645
Court Proceedings. Francis Weeks vs. Mr. Spicer, for loss of a gun; judgment for defendant.
Vol IV, pg.235, 236.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.97]

23 Oct 1645
Declaration. Adam Mott that he heard William Lachem acknowledge to owe 50 guilders to Thomas Spyser. 
Vol. II, pg.147. 
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.33]

1645
On December 10, 1645, Lady Moody, Sir Henry Moody, Ensign George Baxter and Sergeant James Hubbard, with their associates were granted a patent by Director Kieft. The settlers entered into an agreement at Amersfoort with Lady Moody and her associates by which the town was to be divided into 28 parts, each to receive a plantation lot, also a village lot.
- Lot 17 Thomas Spicer
In 1646 a new division was made, laying out the town into 40 lots.
- Lot 15 Thomas Spicer.
['Long Island Historical Bulletin' April 1913]

5-10 Jul 1646
Court proceedings. Examination of Thomas Gridy, of Devonshire, Eng; a prisoner accused of having stolen silver ware and other articles, and of having endeavoured to entice John Jones and others to steal; prisoner remanded. Declaration of Maria Roberts, that John Jones had bought shirts, that had been stolen from Spicer, to her house, and that her husband, Thomas Gridy, had received them. 6 Jul 1646. Confession of Thomas Gridy, that he had received stolen goods, and had solicitored others to rob, but denies that he stole silver ware; wherefore, he continues obstinate in such denial; ordered that he be subjected to torture. 10 Jul 1646. Sentence. Thomas Gridy aforesaid, to be conveyed to the place of execution, and publically whipped, and then banished the county forever. 
Vol. IV, pg.263-4. 
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.103]   

17 Dec 1646
Court Proceedings. Thomas Spicer v. Thomas Sanderson; plaintiff complains that defendant keeps him out of his land, threatens his life, abuses him as a rogue and villain, and shot one of his goats; court decrees that the first time Thomas Spicer, or any of the neighbours, is insulted, defendant shall be banished from the Plain; the damages complained of to be assessed by arbitrators.
Vol. IV, pg. 278, 279. 
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.106]

20 July 1652
Thomas Spicer buys Bergen or Metlers Island. See transcript.

13 May 1653 - Jacob Couwenhoven sold a tract at Flatlands to Thomas Spicer. Sold by his widow to Coert Stevense (Van Voorhees).

11 Dec 1653 - At a Convention called by the Burgomasters of New Amsterdam, a remonstrance was signed by all members of the convention. The delegates from Flatbush whose names are attached to it were "Elbert Elbertson and Thomas Spicer" [http://longislandgenealogy.com/histflat.html]

2 Jun 1654
Judgment in Appeal. Martin Jansen vs. Thomas Spicer; decision of court of Midwout affirmed, with cost, and 12 guilders fine. Vol. V, pg. 257. 
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.138]

6 Oct 1654
Power of Attorney. Arent van Curler to Dirck van Schelluyne, N.P., to collect rent of a farm from Thomas Spicer. Vol. III, pg.119. 
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.57]

15 Oct 1654
Mortgage. Henry Breser, of his house, a lot and garden, on the Island of Manhattans, as collateral security to Thomas Spicer and Thomas Hall, for a bond signed by them. Vol. III, pg. 123.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.57]

15 Oct 1654
Bond. Johannes van Twiller, of Beverwyck, merchant, for any judgment that may be obtained by Thomas Spicer against Arent van Curler. Vol. III, pg.123.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.57-8]

15 Oct 1654
Bond. Thomas Hall, for any judgment that maybe obtained by Arent van Curler against Thomas Spicer. 
Vol. III, pg. 124. 
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.58]

15 Oct 1654
Council Minutes. Complaint. Dirck van Schelluyne, attorney for Arent van Curler, vs. Thomas Spicer, for rent of a brewery; copy to be served on defendant. Vol. V, pg. 381.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.142]

Thomas Spicer is named as one of the Gravesend Magistrates sometime during the period 1650-1674.
[New York County Clerk's Office - http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/elecbook/sullivan/pg3.htm#38CASE]

Will dated 30 Sep 1658, Gravesend.
Proved 4 Nov 1658.
Wife Michall, son Samuel heirs and executors of all the estate apart from the following legacies :-
To Ann Lake (daughter), wife of John Lake, 60 guilders, for the benefit of her three children.
To Susannah Brasier (daughter), wife of Henry Brasier, 80 guilders, for her four children.
For mending the highway in the Lane to fort Ward, 40 guilders.
For fencing burial place, 20 guilders.
Gravesend Records, Liber 3, pg 112.

1st Marriage - Ann GRANT on 14 Feb 1626 at St Marys, Sandwich, Kent, England.

Children of this marriage were :-

child i. Susanna SPICER
child ii. Ann SPICER.

There are several possible christenings for Ann, the most likely being :-
   - 21 Oct 1605 d. Markes Graunte - St Mary Sandwich, Kent
   - 20 Sep 1607 d. John Grannt - St Peter Thanet, Kent
   - 22 Nov 1607 d. Robert Grant - St Peter Thanet, Kent.

The most likely is the 1605 christening, the daughter of Markes Graunte. I can only find two Markes Grauntes but cannot directly link them to this one, however considering the rarity of the name I would say they are connected :-
  - In the will of Nicholas Gawnte of Wotton in 1552 he names a son Markes. In Nicholas Spycer's will of 1607 he mentions property in Nonington. A Markes family appears in the Nonington Parish Registers in the mid 1500's suggecting that the Markes family and Spicer family may have origins in the same parishes and hence knew or were related to each other.
   - Christening of Marks Graunte, son of William, on 30 Dec 1564 in Shoulden, just south of Sandwich.

2nd  Marriage

Micah / Michal JENKINS on 5 Feb 1635/1636. 
1st Marriage - John JENKINS & Michal WITHERLIE on 17 Jul 1622 in St. Olave, Hart St., London, England.
There always appears to be some confusion with her name, being so similar to the male Michael, and she is often confused as such, and hence often named as Thomas's son instead of his wife/widow. Some researchers say she died in 1663 in Kings, New York. However she is mentioned in the NY manuscripts as late as 1675. Her name is most likely derives from the Prophet Micah of Moresheth, and the Book of Micah from the Old Testament.

17 Feb 1661
Proceedings against Mrs. Micah Spicer, for entertaining George Wilson, a Quaker. Vol.IX, pg’s. 528, 530, 541.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.221]

5 Oct 1662
Sentence of banishment against Michal Spicer and Samuel, her son, for harboring Quakers, and distributing seditious and seducing pamphlets, to propogate their heresy. Vol.X, pg.233.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.1 (Dutch), p.240]

25 Nov 1665
Mactel Spieser sells Bergen or Metlers Island. See transcript.

June 1670
Memorandum that Mrs. Micah Spicer had made good her title to part of Throckmorton’s or Spicer’s neck.
Vol.XXII, pg.102.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.2 (English), p.5]

19 Jun 1671
Warrant to the Surveyor General to lay out for Micah Spicer, thirty acres of land, with meadow in proportion, on Throgmorton’s neck, with assignment of the said land, by Mrs. Spicer to Mathias Nicholls. Vol.XXII, pg.117.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.2 (English), p.6]

8 Jun 1675
Judgment in the case of Michall Spicer, widow, agst. Robert Coe, at the Sessions, at Jamaica, L.I., with bill of costs.
Vol.XXIV, pg.110.
[Cal. of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Sec. of State, Albany, NY - Edmund Baily O’Callaghan. Vol.2 (English), p.36]

20 Apr 1678
Flatlands Town Records, Deeds, Misc. - conveyance by Jan Maertense to his brother, Roeleff Maertense, of a house lot which he had owned for several years, located in Amsfort between Elbert Elbertse and Roeleff Maertense and derived from its former owner, Michal Spicer.
['The Washington ancestry ...' by Charles Arthur Hoppin 1932, pg.149]

It would appear that Micah and her son Samuel became Quakers, and were persecuted by the local Dutch authorities. This is somewhat ironic as Thomas originally settled on Long Island, after removing from Rhode Island with a group of others,  because R.I. was too puritan.

Children were:

child i. Samuel SPICER was christened on 30 Jul 1637 at St. Peter's, Sandwich, Kent, England.1
              See historical documents relating to him.

Sources

1. Parish Register as stated.
2. Canterbury Marriage Licences - Second Series 1619-1660 edited by Joseph Meadows Cowper., Cross & Jackson, Canterbury, 1894.

 


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