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The Descendants of Peter Spicer of New London, Connecticut
In the early colonial days the township of New London embraced
a large area both east and west of the Thames River, so that prior
to 1705 the settlers east of the river are listed as inhabitants
of New London; during that year a separation was made, and that
territory, measuring fourteen miles north and south and an average
of over six miles east and west, became the town of Groton; it's
boundaries being the Preston or town of Norwich line on the north,
the Mystic River and its Lantern Hill tributaries, which separated
it from the town of Stonington, on the east, Fishers Island on
the south, and the Thames River on the west. In 1836 the town
of Groton was divided and the larger portion, including all the
North Parish, was called the town of Ledyard. This tract of land
is mostly fertile and quite picturesque, being comprised of hills
and valleys and having several small watercourses. Part of the
peaceful village of Poquetanuck now lies on its northern border,
the remainder being within the limits of Preston. About two miles
south of this village is located the first tract of land granted
to Peter Spicer. It is not known when this grant was made to him,
no trace of it being found on record in New London, but as he
is mentioned as a landholder in New London in 1666 it is probably
that he came into possession about that date. Feb 23, 1692, the
town granted him twenty acres, which was laid out to him March
23, 1692-3, on the east side of the river near his own land. "beginning
at a black or gray oak tree marked on four sides near or adjoining
to the northwest corner of George Geares hundred acres; from thence
running northwest nearest . . . foure rods to a white oak tree
marked on four sides; from thence west southerly to a swamp and
with the swamp, and so along with the s'd same swamp towards the
swamp to George Geares north west corner tree of his hundred acres
and from thence towards the northeast nearest joyning to the northwest
side of George Geares hundred acres to the above mentioned black
or gray oak tree."
This land, added to by four generations, remained in the family
intact until 1788, when Cyrus Spicer sold his portion of it, on
which was built the first house, to Ensign Isaac Avery. It is
now owned by Albert J Clark of Norwich, Ct. The site of the old
ancestral home is marked by a slight elevation partly overgrown
with bushes and the well now filled with stones is close by. A
short distance from these landmarks is a great rock, not a ledge,
but a high rock with a flat top, upon which a dozen children could
have royal good times; and we can picture for ourselves the eleven
lively little Spicers who were the first to be born and live in
that house, and also those who came after them, making it their
headquarters in all their play hours. It is told at the present
day how those who went forth from the homestead to homes of their
own making, returned at least once yearly to picnic by "The
Rock."
The remainder of the original grants was kept and lived on by
the descendants of John Spicer until the death of Herbert Spicer
in 1886, when it was sold by his heirs to Mr William Collins,
who now dwells in the house which was probably built by John Spicer
(3) and added to by John Spicer (5), not altered by the succeeding
generations.
Where Peter Spicer came from to New London has not been ascertained
but tradition tells us that he came from Virginia to New England
and was of English parentage. It is also so recorded in the family
Bible of Abel Spicer.
We can imagine him in 1666 as a young man working with the customary
Spicer energy and perseverance to clear a spot for cultivation
in that then wild and desolate country; afterwards planting and
harvesting and making ready the home to which four years laters
he brought his bride. The country thereabouts was heavily timbered,
and abounding with wolves and other ferocious wild animals, and
poisonous snakes were for many years a daily menace to the settlers;
none but the bravest would have ventured to build a dwelling there
or dared to ask a woman to share it with him when built. His white
neighbors were few. George Geer ownded land adjoining upon which
he afterwards built and dwelt. In 1667 the Noank Indians, a remnant
of the once warlike Pequot tribe, were ordered to settle on their
reservation, called Mashantuckset, a mile or so west of our pioneer
ancestor's farm. He evidently lived on amicable terms with them,
for there are no complaints entered on the records of the town
by either party. Indeed we have reason to be proud of our ancestor,
inasmuch as his farm was not enlarged by land forcibly taken from,
or obtained by small valueless gifts to the Indians.
When the general uprising of the Indians, in 1675, led to King
Philip's War, he was among the volunteers and received for his
services one hundred and forty acres in Voluntown, lot 108, of
the "Cedar Swamp Lots." This land was allotted in 1700,
some years after his decease, and was sold by his son Edward in
1719, to Christopher Avery of Groton.
That Peter Spicer and his sons were men of Peaceable dispositions
with no active enemies in evinced by the fact that no complaints
against them, either by town or individual, is found on the early
court records. In those days men seemed to have troublous times
with one another; even those high in the affais of the colony
were not exempt from the malice of their neighbors and they were
brought to be "examined" before the court on the least
provocation. Once only did Peter actively appear at a meeting
of the court; then he complained that a neighbor had unlawfully
taken one of his hogs. The neighbor admitted that his dog had
killed a small hog, and that he had put it up in a barrel and
had eaten part thereof, "and ye remains were found with him
in ye said barrel." The court ordered him to pay to Peter
Spicer thirty shillings and to the county treasury ten shillings.
In an old book now kept in the county clerk's office at Norwich,
Ct, is recorded the distribution of Peter Spicer's estate as follows:
"At a Court of Probate held Sept. 18, 1694. The inventory
of the estate of Peter Spicer deceased was exhibited in Court
was proved accepted and ordered to be recorded and this Court
grants power of administration to the widow and makes distribution
as followeth for the widow thirty six pounds with her thirds of
the moveables. To the eldest son Edward double portion 15 pounds
10 shilling and to the rest of the children being ten in number
7 pounds 15 shilling apiece and if any of the children die before
they come of age to receive their portion then their part to be
equally divided amonst the survivors;" Capt. Brewster &
Thomas Rose were appointed overseers.
The Probate Records of New London, Ct, furnish additional data.
"Aug 10, 1714. Mary Spicer widow and relict of Peter Spicer
late of New London deceased and administratrix of his Estate appeared
at this Court and made an addition to the inventory of the said
Estate of a lott of land in the plantation given the Volunteers
and the other inventoried Estate having been already distributed
this Court distributes the said lott as followeth viz: one third
part thereof to the widow during her natural life, to the Eldest
son a double portion thereof and to the other nine children &
ye representatives of one that is deceased equal portions.
"Sept 13, 1715. Mary Spicer widow of Peter Spicer late of
New London deceased having put the Estate into the hands of her
eldest son Edward to pay his brothers and sisters as they come
of age said Edward has this day presented in Court Receipts under
the hands of his s'd brothers and sisters for their portion to
full satisfaction the Court does thereupon order a quietus off
to the s'd administrator."
The marriage of Peter Spicer and Mary, daughter of Peter and Mary
(__)Busecot, is recorded in Warwick, Rhode Island, as follows:
"Peter Spicer of Mohegan or now Norridge in the Collony of
Conticott and Mary Busecot of the town of Warwick in ye Collony
of Rhode Island were married Dec. 15, 1670." Eleven children
were born to them, whose names are recorded in a Bible formerly
ownded by Abel Spicer. The birth dates were not given and can
only be conjectured from the dates of marriages known.
CHILDREN
2. Edward, b __; d __; m Katharine Stone.
3. Peter, b __; d __; m __.
4. William, b __; d __; m. Hannah Roath.
5. Ruth, b __; d __; m Samuel Newton.
6. Samuel, b __; d 1748; m Susannah
Olmsby.
7. Jabez, b __; d __; m Margaret Park.
.. Abigail
.. Hannah
.. Jane
.. Mary
.. Sarah
Samuel Spicer was born June 10, 1727 in Norwich, Ct. He died
probably prior to 1783. He married Aug 30, 1750 in Norwich, Ct,
Abigall, a d/o. Samuel and Mary (Benman) Story. She was b July
5, 1726 in Norwich, Ct. She was probably living in 1785 in the
East Society, as it is stated in the "Long Society Records"
that tax rates were abated for Mrs. Abigall Spicer, Jan 21, 1783
and March 21, 1785. Jan 6, 1751, he sold all his right in his
father's estate for 30 pounds to Aaron Fargo, the land his father
bought of Jabez Huntington, "near ye dark swamp"; witnesses,
Richard and Elisha Hide. Dec 24, 1772, tax rate abated for Samuel
Spicer in East Society ("Long Society Records"). May
17, 1777 he bought of Thomas Wood 16 acres and dwelling house
in the East Society, the same Mark Williams died possessed of,
excepting the right of dower belonging to the widow of Mark Williams;
boundaries: lands of James Giddings deceased, James Avery, and
land that did belong to Jonathan Pierce and partly on land of
Joseph Brewster; witnesses, Elisha Fitch and Susannah Williams.
June 7, 1777, he sold this land to his son, Asher Spicer, for
50 pounds; witnesses, Samuel Spicer, Jr and Susannah Williams.
Although not certain that all the following service in the Rev.
War belongs to this Samuel, it is probable that some of it does;
the rebate of taxes to Mrs Abigall Spicer indicates widowhood
in 1783, and the name of Samuel Spicer of Norwich is on the list
of men who had died whose families were to be supplied (Vol VII,
"Conn. His. Soc. Collections.")
Samuel Spicer enlisted May 5, 1775, 3rd co., John Durkee, Captain;
discharged May 16, 1775 ("Connecticut Men of the Revolution.")
Samuel Spicer, 1st regt. Connecticut line, Throops company, enlisted
May 7, 1777; died July, 1778, Mansfield ("Connecticut Men
of the Revolution.")
CHILDREN:
Asher
Samuel
Roger?
Daniel Jr? who as Daniel Jr., had tax rate abated in the East
Society of Norwich, jan 21, 1783; and the Daniel who in 1790 was
head of a family with one male under 16 and 3 females.
Spicer Biographies
Asher Spicer
Asher Spicer was born in Norwich, Ct. The date of his death
and record of marriage not ascertained. He served in the Rev.
War. Enlisted Mar 4, 1777 in Hyde's Company, 4th regiment of the
Ct Line, and was discharged May 24, 1780. May 17, 1777, his father,
for 50 pounds, sold to him the 16 acres and dwelling house he
bought of Thomas Wood, "the same Mark Williams died possessed
of." March 21, 1785, is mentioned in "Long Society Records"
as having tax rates abated. In 1786 he had money to loan. In census
taken 1790, Asher Spicer is given as head of a family with 2 males
under 16 and 2 females in Guilford, Ct. In 1791 he leased land
in Woodbury, Ct, and sold land there in 1801. Jan 28, 1800, he
removed from Woodbury to Kent, Ct.
CHILDREN:
John Spicer, b Dec 14, 1789; m/1 Jerushia Carter; m/2 Mary Decker
Daughter
Samuel
Asher, m Mary Osburn.
Spicer Biographies
John Spicer, 1789-1868
John Spicer was born Oct 14, 1789 in Milford, Mass. He died
Dec 1868 in State of NY. He married first about 1807 Jerusia Carter.
He married second prior to 1825, Mary Decker, who was born 1800,
in Troy, Pa. She died 1851.
CHILDREN BY FIRST WIFE:
George
Reuben Hull, b Jun 24, 1810; m Sophia Whitehead
Lucy, m George Hall
Charles, b 1814; m Decker
CHILDREN BY SECOND WIFE:
John, b 1825
James, b 1827
Mary b 1829; m/1 Church; m/s Dr Hathaway
Polly Ann, b 1830; d 1901; m Dr Samuel Huson
Edward P L, b 1832 d 1904
Emily, b 1834
Martin V B, b 1835
Augusta, b 1838
Andrew, b 1840
Rosalie, m Mr Ross
Florence, m Orson Wilbur; had dau Lena Augusta Wilbur.
Jefferson Co. NY Obituaries
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