Spencer, Gerrard
Gerrard SPENCER (1576 - 1646) and Alice WHITBREAD (1578 - 1628)
my 10-g grandparents
Gerrard SPENCER was born on 2 May 1576 in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England. He was and baptized on the same day at St. Mary’s Parish church. His parents were Michael SPENCER (early 1530s - 1599) and his 2nd wife, Elizabeth (? - 1599). Gerrard died in May 1646 in Stotfold.
Gerrard was sometimes spelled Gerard, Garrard, Garret, Jarret, Jared, and others.
Alice WHITBREAD was born about 1578 in Upper Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire, England, daughter of John Lawrence WHITBREAD (1548 - 1598) and Eleanor RADCLIFFE (1550 - 1628). Alice died on 20 Nov 1628 in Stotfold.
Gerrard and Alice were married on 10 Nov 1600 in Upper Gravenhurst. They lived in Stotfold and had 9 children. It appears that 4 of these died young, and the rest immigrated to New England, after their mother died.
1 Gerrard SPENCER b: 20 May 1576 in Stotfold, d: May 1646 in Stotfold, age 70
+ Alice WHITBREAD b: 1578 in Upper Gravenhurst m: 10 Nov 1600 in Upper Gravenhurst, d: 20 Nov 1628 in Stotfold, age 50
......2 William SPENCER bapt: 11 Oct 1601 in Stotfold, d: May 1640 in Hartford, CT, age 38
...... + Agnes HARRIS bapt: 06 Apr 1604 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England, m: Abt. 1633
.....2 Elizabeth SPENCER bapt: 31 Oct 1602 in Stotfold
...... + Timothy TOMLINS
.....2 Elizabeth SPENCER bapt: 31 Oct 1602 in Stotfold, d: aft. 17 Mar 1645/46 in Lynn, Essex, MA, age 44+
...... + Timothy TOMLINS bapt: 11 Jan 1606/07 in Todenham, Gloucestershire, England, m: 1620, d: bef. 17 Mar 1645/46 in Lynn, Essex, MA, age 39
......2 John SPENCER bapt: 22 Jan 1603 in Stotfold
......2 Henry SPENCER b: 11 Aug 1605 in Stotfold, bur: 20 Oct 1607 in Stotfold, age 2
......2 Sgt. Thomas SPENCER bapt: 29 Mar 1607 in Stotfold, d: 11 Sep 1687 in Hartford, CT, age 80
...... + Ann DERIFIELD b: 1610, m: 1635 in CT, d: 1644, age 34
...... + Sarah BEARDING b: 1623 in Lincolnshire, England, m: 11 Sep 1645 in Hartford, CT, d: 11 Sep 1685 in Hartford, CT, age 62
......2 Richard SPENCER bapt: 11 Dec 1608 in Stotfold, bur: 06 May 1614 in Stotfold, age 5
......2 Michael SPENCER bapt: 05 May 1611 in Stotfold, d: 1653 in Lynn, MA, age 42
......2 Gerard SPENCER bapt: 25 Apr 1614 in Stotfold, d: 1683 in Haddam, CT, age 69
1903 map showing Stotfold, Upper Gravenhurst and Edworth. The red boundary separates Bedfordshire to the northwest and Hertfordshire to the southeast.
The small town and civil parish of Stotfold was in Bedfordshire, but became part of Hertfordshire in 2010. It lies near the border of the two shires, about 35 miles north of London. The River Ivel flows northward through the west side of Stotfold.
1603-1688 map of eastern England. Stotfold (not shown) is in the eastern corner of Bedford shire.
Four of the sons, and one daughter, of Gerrard and Alice immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, about 1632, settling first in Cambridge, and later in Lynn, Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Hartford, Colony of Connecticut.
Gerrard's brother Richard SPENCER, baptized 9 Jul 1580, died in late Jun or early May 1646. He was a haberdasher in London, and had accumulated some wealth and various properties. His will provided for £50 for each of Gerrard's sons. Specifically, £50 for Jarrard Spencer, Thomas Spencer and Michaell Spencer, sons of brother Jarrard Spencer deceased, £50 apiece, and another £50 to the children of William Spencer, son of said brother Jarrard Spencer deceased, to be divided equally between them and to be paid to their guardians."
Uncle Richard's Estate
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) 1748, 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. 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.] [FSB]
The records for the family in England are conflicting. Some suggest that Gerrard made the journey to America with his sons. Others suggest that he moved to London after the death of his wife. He may have remarried, to Joan HILLS. In many cases, we have dates and places of baptism and burial instead of birth and death.
1. William SPENCER was baptized 11 Oct 1601 in Stotfold, and died May 1640 in Hartford, CT, age 38. He married about 1633 to Agnes HARRIS, baptized 06 Apr 1604 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England. Some [FSB] have said that his wife was Agnes TUCKER. She remarried after William died, to William EDWARDS, on 11 Dec 1645 in Hartford.
1 Agnes HARRIS or TUCKER bapt: 06 Apr 1604 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England
... + William SPENCER bapt: 11 Oct 1601 in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, m: abt. 1633, d: May 1640 in Hartford, CT, age 38
......2 Elizabeth SPENCER b: 1633
...... + William WELLMAN m: abt. 1650, d: 09 Aug 1671 in Killingworth, Middlesex, CT
...... + Jacob JOY m: 23 May 1671, d: 1690
......2 Sarah SPENCER b: 1635, d: 03 Nov 1691 in Simsbury, Hartford, CT, age 56
...... + John CASE m: 1656, d: 21 Feb 1703/04, age 47
......2 Samuel SPENCER b: 1639, d: 1716 in Hartford, CT
...... + Sarah m: 1668, d: 24 Apr 1706
... + William EDWARDS m: 11 Dec 1645 in Hartford, CT
2. Elizabeth SPENCER was baptized 31 Oct 1602 in Stotfold. She married Timothy TOMLINS in 1620, England. It is not known whether she immigrated with her brothers, but Elizabeth and Timothy also came to Cambridge in 1632, and were in Lynn by 1634. Some records indicate that Timothy was in Lynn as early as 1630, removed to Cambridge in 1632, and back to Lynn in 1634. So Elizabeth may have immigrated before her brothers. Elizabeth was referred to as a widow on 17 Mar 1645/46, so she lived past that date, and he died before. They had one son, Samuel.
[GMB, Vol. 3, pp. 1828-30]
There were other SPENCERs in early Essex County, perhaps unrelated or distantly related. Marriage records indicate that Timothy TOMLINS married Elizabeth SPENCER, and [GMB] confirms that she was the daughter of Gerrard.
1 Elizabeth SPENCER bapt: 31 Oct 1602 in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, d: aft. 17 Mar 1645/46 in Lynn, Essex, MA, age 44+
+ Timothy TOMLINS bapt: 11 Jan 1606/07 in Todenham, Gloucestershire, England, m: 1620, d: bef. 17 Mar 1645/46 in Lynn, Essex, MA, age 39
......2 Samuel TOMLINS
Timothy and his brother Edward were both military men, and leading citizens of Lynn. Capt. Edward TOMLINS was a carpenter by trade, a builder of carriages, and in 1633 he is said to have built the first mill in Lynn. Timothy was in charge of the ammunition stockpile in 1634, and in 1636 he was licensed to run a tavern in Lynn. In 1638 Edward and Timothy were granted 200 acres and 80 acres, respectively. In 1641 the brothers claimed some land on Long Island, which was also claimed by the Earl of Sterling. They were "admonished not to go to the Dutch because of scandal & offence."
Brothers Timothy and Edward TOMLINS
It was in 1638 that the Ancient and Honorable Artillery was organized. Six Lynn men were among the first members, namely, William Ballard, Joseph Hewes, Daniel Howe, Edward Tomlins, Nathaniel Turner, Richard Walker. Daniel Howe was chosen lieutenant. A word in relation to one or two of these early members of that ancient organization may not be inappropriate. In relation to Mr. TOMLINS, it appears pretty certain that he was one in whom great trust was reposed in civil matters, as well as military. Yet it is evident that he had decided opinions, which were not always expressed in ways the most wise or gentle. On the 3d of September, 1634, the court ordered that he, "or any other put in his place by the Commissioners of War, with the help of an assistant, shall have power to presse men and carts, for ordinary wages, to helpe towards makeing of such carriages and wheeles as are wanting for the ordinances." His brother, Timothy Tomlins, was the same year appointed overseer of the "powder and shott and all other amunicon" of the plantation. In 1643, being then a member of the House of Representatives, he was "ordred and appoynted, by both Houses of the Courte, to go uppon a messuage to ye Narragansett sachems," and dismissed from the "howse for ye present to prepare himself for ye jurney." He went in company with the celebrated Indian negotiator, General Humphrey Atherton. And it is represented that one of their first acts was to catechise the benighted Narragansetts on the Ten Commandments. It is probable that he had not much of an ear for music other than martial, for, in 1641, he was arraigned for expressing opinions against music in the churches. He, however, retracted, and was discharged. [HEC Vol. 1, p. 292-3]
Timothy Tomlins was licensed in 1636 to "keepe a house of intertainnient." He was a farmer and a man of probity, but his house did not attain much celebrity as a stopping-place for travelers, it being somewhat remote from the great traveled road. He was among those who commenced the settlement of Southampton, L. I., in 1640, but did not remain there. He was also one of the Cambridge land proprietors. The extensive range of low forest land and tangled bog lying a short distance northwest of Dungeon Rock, in our Lynn woods, and still known as Tomlins's Swamp, was a part of his estate. He was thirteen times a representative in the General Court, and in other positions faithfully served the town. In 1634 he was appointed overseer of the "powder and shott and all other amunicon" of the plantation. [HEC, Vol. 1, p. 326]
Edward Tomlins, a carpenter by his calling, and a captain and military man by his taste, was one of the most important men who ever dwelt in Lynn, yet no descendant stands as his memorial here to-day. He six times represented the town in the General Court; and eight years after his arrival was to be found in the ranks of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Lewis asserts that he built the first mill in Lynn, in 1633, and that it stood at the mouth of Strawberry Brook. But Judge Newhall controverts this opinion at length, averring that the Tomlins Mill was on Water Hill, and the other was not built till 1655. Hereafter we shall somewhat farther speak of this matter. Capt. Tomlins is mentioned here in 1643 as clerk of the writs; but as to his later days little or nothing seems to be known. He had a brother, Timothy, who was a noted man in the settlement; thirteen times in the General Court, and still commemorated in an important water source among the hills, called Tomlins's Swamp. [CMT, p. 240]
EDWARD TOMLINS, (Capt.) — was a carpenter, and was admitted a freeman in 1631. He was six times chosen representative. In 1633, he built the first mill in Lynn, at the mouth of Strawberry Brook, which flows from the Flax Pond, where Chase's mill now stands — [that is, at the point where Summer street now crosses the stream.] At one of the courts he agreed to repair Mistick bridge for £22. In 1638 he was a member of the Ancient Artillery Company. In 1640 he went to Long Island, but returned to Lynn, and was appointed clerk of the writs, in 1643. His son Edward came over in 1635, at the age of 30; but returned to London in 1644, and in 1679 was at Dublin.
[The statement that the first mill in Lynn was at the mouth of Strawberry Brook, is a mistake; and Mr. Lewis was satisfied of it when the facts were laid before him. The first mill was on that brook, a few rods west of where Franklin street opens into Boston street. Some years ago there was a case in one of our courts, wherein the question of the location of the first mill in Lynn became of some importance. An examination of ancient documents and records established the fact as above stated. Astute counsel objected to any testimony from Mr. Lewis tending to show that it was located in any place but that stated in his book, on the ground that it would be a contradiction of himself. After some wrangling, however, it was admitted, for the rules regarding the admission of evidence are not quite so bad as to deny one the privilege of correcting an undoubted error. The mill which he refers to as the first, was, without doubt, the third in Lynn, the second having been built near the Flax Pond and afterward removed to Water Hill. And this seems to have been the first manifestation of that propensity to move buildings which has characterised our people to this day. Every season we find our ways obstructed and trees dismembered by migratory edifices. For something further about the old mills, see under dates 1654 and 1655.]
TIMOTHY TOMLINS, brother of Edward — was a farmer, and was admitted a freeman, 1633. He was representative in thirteen sessions of the General Court. In 1640, he went with those who began a settlement at Southampton, on Long Island, but returned. A pine forest in the northern part of Lynn is well known by the name of Tomlins's Swamp. He was one of the first proprietors of Cambridge, but did not reside there. [HL, p. 127-8 in the section covering the year 1630]
At the Court, on the 13th of May, William Hathorne, Samuel Symonds, and Timothy Tomlins, were appointed to lay out "the nearest, cheapest, safest, and most convenient way," between Lynn and Winnisimet ferry.
William Hathorne and Timothy Tomlins, having been appointed to lay out the bounds of the town of Lynn, made report, on the 4th of June, that they had fixed the bounds at Charlestown line, Reading pond, Ipswich river, and Salem.
[At the September Court, Salem, an action for defamation, Timothy Tomlins, of Lynn, against John Pickering was tried, and the jury found "that ye said John Pickering shall not only pay fforty shillings damage and ffower shillings coste, but yt in some publik meeting at Lynn, before next Courte, the said Jno. Pickering shall publiklie acknowledge the wronge done ye sd Tomlins, or else shall pay and make his fforty shillings Tenn pounds." [HL, p. 196 in the section covering the year1640]
[Edward Tomlins, having been arraigned for expressing opinions against singing in the churches, was discharged, 1 June, he having retracted.] [HL, p. 203 in the section covering the year1641]
[The Court made an order that every house in the several towns should aid in the "breeding of salt peeter." Sergeant Tomlins was appointed to see that the order was enforced in Lynn. [HL, p. 203 in the section covering the year1642]
In June, Mr. Edward Tomlins was appointed by the Court, a commissioner to treat with the Indians. He was also appointed clerk of the writs instead of Mr. Richard Sadler. [Mr. Lewis has placed his Indian mission a little too early, or else he was more than once detailed for such service. It was on the 30th of May, 1644, that he was "ordred and appoynted, by both howses of the Courte to goe vppon a messuage to ye Narragansett sachems," and dismissed from the "howse for ye present to ppare himselfe for ye jurney." (Col. Recs.) He went on his mission in company with Humphrey Atherton. And it is represented that one of their first acts was to catechise the benighted Narragansetts on the Ten Commandments.] [HL, p. 209 in the section covering the year1643]
3. John SPENCER was baptized 22 Jan 1603 in Stotfold, and probably died young. He has been conflated with another John SPENCER who appeared in MA. [FSB]
4. Henry SPENCER was baptized 11 Aug 1605 in Stotfold, buried 20 Oct 1607 in Stotfold, age 2.
There is a discrepancy regarding Henry SPENCER. The information above is from [FSB]. However, [HW, Vol. 2, p. 54] says that there were 2 sons named Henry, baptized on 11 Aug 1605 and 20 Oct 1607, in Stotfold. At any rate, neither one seems to have lived to adulthood.
5. Sgt. Thomas SPENCER was baptized 29 Mar 1607 in Stotfold, and died 11 Sep 1687 in Hartford, CT, age 80. He married (1) about 1635 in CT, to Ann DERIFIELD, born about 1610, died about 1644, age 34. Thomas married (2) on 11 Sep 1645 in Hartford, CT, to Sarah BEARDING, born about 1623 in Lincolnshire, England, died 11 Sep 1685 in Hartford, CT, age 62.
Thomas and Sarah were my 9g-grandparents. See the Thomas SPENCER page.
6. Richard SPENCER was baptized 11 Dec 1608 in Stotfold, and buried 06 May 1614 in Stotfold, age 5.
7. Michael SPENCER was baptized 05 May 1611 in Stotfold, and died about 1653 in Lynn, MA, age 42. His wife was Isabel. They lived in Lynn and had at least 2 children. The evidence for the children is discussed in [FSB].
Michael was one of the 4 brothers who immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony about 1632. He was a land owner in Newtown (later called Cambridge) in 1634. He was made freeman in 1638, and removed to Lynn, along with his brother Gerrard Jr, in 1638.
1 Isabel d: 09 Oct 1674 in Salem, Essex, MA
+ Michael SPENCER bapt: 05 May 1611 in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, d: 1653 in Lynn, Essex, MA
......2 John SPENCER b: abt. 1638, d: 1684
......2 Susanna SPENCER b: 1643 in Lynn, Essex, MA, d: 1728
...... + Daniel BACON m: 04 Aug 1664 in Salem, Essex, MA
......2 Michael SPENCER b: 1647 in Lynn, Essex, MA, d: 16 Mar 1722/23
......2 William SPENCER b: abt. 1652, d: 1712
+ Thomas ROBBINS b: 1618, d: Aft. 1681
One account says that Michael SPENCER married the widow of Thomas ROBBINS, of Salem, MA. However, [FSB] explains that Michael's widow Isabel married Thomas ROBBINS after Michael SPENCER died. Then Isabel died on 9 Oct 1674 in Salem, and Thomas ROBBINS remarried on 11 Mar 1674/75, to Mary GOULD, widow of Richard BISHOP.
8. Gerard SPENCER was baptized 25 Apr 1614 in Stotfold, and died about 1683 in Haddam, CT, age 69. He married (1) on 17 Dec 1636 in Lynn, MA, to Hannah Joannis HILLS daughter of William HILLS. He married (2) after 1677 in Haddam, CT, to Rebecca PORTER daughter of John PORTER and Rose WHITE.
At the age of 18, Gerard came to America with his 3 older brothers about 1632, and settled with them, first in Newtown (later known as Cambridge). With his brother Michael, he removed to Lynn, where he was made a freeman on 9 Mar 1636/37. He ran the ferry from Needham's Landing in Lynn to Ballard's Landing in Saugus, in Mar 1639.
The Ferry Between Lynn and Saugus
But now the streams, from having been the only medium that permitted any communication, became the worst of obstacles to the newer method. Neither had the amount of travel so increased as to demand the building of bridges, nor the constructive skill of the people risen quite to the point of attempting them, so the natural resort for crossing the rivers, where fording was impracticable, was found in the same boats that aforetime had done exclusive service. In this way ferries started into being, and were soon found, here and there, all over the county. The passage of Saugus River, prior to 1639 at any rate, and probably to a large extent afterward, was made by ferriage between Ballard's and Needham's Landings, as they are now called. Originally, as has been intimated, it was forded above tide-water, a thing always easy to do; and it has been asserted, not without show of probability, that the same was done at the landings above mentioned; but it is nearly certain, that by 1639, the water, probably deepening annually, had become too wide for such a passage. That year, one Spenser (who is called Garrett Spenser by Judge Newhall, but who signed himself "Jarrard," and was, more likely, named Gerard, or possibly, Jared), was granted the ferry at Lynn for the space of two years, and the fare was fixed at one or two pence per head for passengers, according to circumstances. Very little more can be known about this ferry; the bridge probably absorbed most of the travel; and, as it cost no tolls, and after a time was made substantial, the ferry fell into disuse, and was discontinued. Mention has been made of a ferry in Lynn kept by Bray Wilkins, but it was probably in Neponset instead. [ECM, p. 31]
At every turn, we see that all through this early time the land had the chief attention. In1637, it is said, there were "but thirty seven plows in the Colony, most of which were at Lynn." In fact, the people minded their fields more than their roads; for in 1639 the General Court fined Lynn 10s. for "bad ways," and bade her see them mended. Yet even then, as ever since, the ways of Lynn were enormously long in proportion to the population, and the keeping of such lengths in good order was no little work. There was, at that time, and much later, a ferry somewhere here, kept by Garrett Spenser. Judge Newhall thinks it was from Ballard's Landing, East Saugus, to Needham's Lauding, near River Street, Lynn, which seems very probable. ECM, p. 245]
There has been some difference of opinion in regard to the location of an ancient ferry. In 1639 the General Court granted to Garrett Spencer "the ferry at Linn for 2 years." The law also regulated the tolls. It is generally thought that this ferry was from Needham's Landing in Lynn, to what is now called the Lower Landing, on Ballard Street, in East Saugus. In those days it undoubtedly was a great accommodation to travelers on foot or horseback, and especially before the building of the bridge at E. Saugus. [HEC, Vol. 1, p. 416]
[At times, vigorous discussions have taken place as to the particular course of the early routes from Lynn to Boston. It should be remembered that water communication was much favored by the early settlers, for land journeys over the primitive roads, in such a rough country) were excessively fatiguing, and to an extent dangerous. And besides the obstacles of rock, stump, and quagmire, there long existed an apprehension that ravenous beasts and serpents would dispute the way. An ac credited tradition is mentioned in Pelt's Annals, to the effect that certain persons from Salem visited Boston soon after its settlement and were four days on the road. On the next Sunday after their return they had a note of thanks, for their safe deliverance from the perils and hardships of the journey, read at the meeting-house. Por the crossing of creeks and rivers, and for inconsiderable coast voyaging, the Indian canoes were sufficient; and attention was early called to the construction of shallops suitable for more extended navigation. It is very likely that passengers were taken to Boston from a point in the vicinity of Sagamore Hill, as well as from points as far west as Saugus river. In good weather the passage was pleasant, and with a fair wind by no means tedious. But a land route must have been very soon established, for the water communication was liable to be interrupted by ice in winter, and rendered hazardous and subject to delays by storms and adverse winds, more or less, at all times. In 1639 the General Court granted to Garret Spencer "the fferry at Linn, for 2 yeares." And this was no doubt a ferry established between Needham's Landing, just below Chase's mill, in Lynn, and Ballard's Landing, in East Saugus, and was a very great convenience for passengers to and from Boston. [HL, pp. 93-4]
[Jarrett Spenser. I think the baptismal name of this individual should be spelled Garrett. He was the person to whom the "fferry at Linn" was granted in 1639. He came to Lynn in 1637, and was admitted a freeman the same year. Sometime before 1660 he removed to Haddam, Ct., and was there a representative in 1674 and '5. He was the father of a numerous family. About 1665 his daughter Hannah married Daniel Brainard, grandfather of the celebrated missionary. [HL, p. 174, the section covering the year 1638]
[This year, the Court granted to Garrett Spenser, "the fferry at Linn, for two yeares, taking 2d for a single person to the furthest place, and but a 1d a person for more, to the furthest place, and but a 1d for a single person to the nearest place." This ferry, was, without doubt, from Needham's Landing, between Chase's mill, and the Turnpike, in Lynn, to Ballard's Landing, in East Saugus, and was a great convenience.] [HL, p. 183, the section covering the year 1639]
About 1662, at age 48, Gerard removed to Haddam, Connecticut Colony, where he was one of the earliest of the white settlers. He owned land in the Machimoodus Meadows.
John SPENCER, probably a son of Gerard and Hannah, was also one of the early settlers in Haddam. Some have claimed that John was the son of Gerrard Sr and Alice. The children are listed in [CFU, Vol. 2, pp. 687-8].
1 Gerard SPENCER b: Bef. 25 Apr 1614 in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, d: 1683 in Haddam, CT
+ Hannah Joannis HILLS m: 17 Dec 1636 in Lynn, Essex, MA
......2 John SPENCER
...... + Rebecca HAYWARD, b: 17 Aug 1648
......2 Hannah SPENCER b: 12 Oct 1641 in Lynn, Essex, MA, d: 1691 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT
...... + Daniel BRAINARD b: Mar 1641 in Braintree, Essex, England, m: 1664, d: 01 Apr 1715 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT (see below)
......2 Alice SPENCER
...... + Thomas BROOKS
...... + Thomas SHAYLES
......2 Mehitable SPENCER b: 1642 in Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, d: 1691 in Haddam, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States
...... + Daniel CONE b: 1626 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, d: 1706 in E Haddam
......2 Thomas SPENCER
...... + Elizabeth BATES
......2 Samuel SPENCER b: 1646 ; 7 aug 1705
...... + Hannah Blanchford WILLEY m: 1673
...... + Miriam MOORE m: 1689
......2 William SPENCER
...... + Margaret CLARK
......2 Nathaniel SPENCER
...... + Lydia SMITH
...... + Hannah
......2 Rebecca SPENCER
...... + John KENNARD
...... + John TANNER
......2 Ruth SPENCER
...... + Joseph CLARK
......2 Timothy SPENCER
+ Rebecca PORTER m: Aft. 1677 in Haddam, CT
Rebecca HAYWARD was a granddaughter of my 10-g grandparents, Thomas KILBOURN (1578 - 1637) and Frances MOODY (1584 - 1650). So John SPENCER and his wife Rebecca HAYWARD were both 1st cousins 1x removed to my 7g-grandfather, John ROOT. See the Thomas KILBOURN page.
Gerard Jr and Hannah's daughter, Hannah, married Daniel BRAINARD/BRAINERD. Daniel had 3 wives, the first and the 3rd both born Hannah SPENCER, who were 1st cousins. [WRC, Vol. II, pp. 955-6]
1 Daniel BRAINARD b: Mar 1641 in Braintree, Essex, England, d: 01 Apr 1715 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT
+ Hannah SPENCER b: 12 Oct 1641 in Lynn, Essex, MA, m: 1664, d: 1691 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT (dau. of Gerard SPENCER Jr)
......2 Daniel BRAINARD b: 02 Mar 1665/66 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, d: 1743
...... + Susannah VENTRES b: Bef. 21 May 1704, d: 26 Jan 1754
......2 Hannah BRAINARD b: 29 Nov 1667 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, d: 07 Sep 1750
...... + Thomas GATES
......2 James BRAINARD b: 02 Jun 1669 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, d: 10 Feb 1742/43
......2 Joshua BRAINARD b: 20 Jul 1671 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, d: 14 May 1755 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT
...... + Mary d: 25 Dec 1705 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT
...... + Mehetabell DUDLEY m: 12 Jul 1710
......2 William BRAINARD b: 30 Mar 1674 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT
......2 Caleb BRAINARD b: 30 Nov 1676 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, d: 11 Jul 1743 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT
......2 Elijah BRAINARD b: Bef. 26 Mar 1678 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, d: 20 Apr 1740 in Haddam, CT
...... + Mary BUSHNELL b: 10 Mar 1675 in Norwich, CT, m: 28 Sep 1699, d: 11 Sep 1735
...... + Margaret d: 15 Mar 1757
......2 Hezekiah BRAINARD b: 24 May 1680 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, d: 24 May 1727 in Hartford, CT
.........3 David BRAINARD b: 20 Apr 1718, d: 09 Oct 1747; famous missionary to the Cherokee Indians
+ Elizabeth WAKEMAN m: 30 Mar 1693 (widow of ARNOLD, dau. of Samuel and Elizabeth WAKEMAN)
+ Hannah SPENCER b: 15 Apr 1653 in Hartford, CT, m: 29 Nov 1698 (widow of George SEXTON, dau. of Thomas SPENCER and Ann DERIFIELD)
Daniel BRAINERD was brought from England to Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1649, at age 8, as an indentured servant to a farmer named WADSWORTH. At age 21 he was free, and made his way to Haddam, Connecticut Colony, where he became a founder and leading citizen. He was a Col. and a Deacon.
Sources
[CFU] Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775 (1912) 7 volumes (requires Ancestry.com license)
[CMT] Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America. (1878) by Cyrus M. Tracy
[GMB] The Great Migration Begins/Immigrants to New England 1620-1633 by Robert Charles Anderson (1995) (requires Ancestry.com license)
[GM] The Great Migration/Immigrants to New England 1634-1635 by Robert Charles Anderson et al (1999) (requires Ancestry.com license)
[HEC] History of Essex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men (1888) by D. Hamilton Hurd, Vol. 1
[HF] Sergeant Thomas Spencer, Hartford Founder, from the Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford
[HW] Our New England ancestors and their descendants, 1620-1900; historical, genealogical, biographical (1900) by Henry Whittemore. "The Spencer and Allied Families" on p. 49 ff.
[SB] Spencer's of Badby to the four Brothers of CT
[SS] The Spencer Siblings
[TS] Thomas Spencer family of Hartford, Connecticut; in the line of Samuel Spencer, of Cromwell, Connecticut(1896) by Frank Farnsworth Starr
[TSG] The Spencer Genealogy
[VBT] A Vision of Britain Through Time (historic maps)
[WRC] Genealogical and family history of the state of Connecticut; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation (1911) by William Richard Cutter, et al Vol I Vol II Vol III Vol IV
Updated 11 Sep 2020 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.