There are approximately 1,460 people named Spice in the UK. Approximately 23 of every million people in the UK are named Spice.
Searching for Our Kentish Genealogy in Spice Origins
In order to find the family of our ancestor William Spice (about 1530-bur. 8 Sep 1592), we need to look at the data for:
A) The Extended Spice Family from the Old Romney area in Calehill Hundred 1334-1407
B) The Extended Spice Family from Pluckily & Ashford in Calehill Hundred 1365-+1600
C) Thomas Spice from Boxley (died 1509)
D) The Spice Family from Lenham 1500-1510
E) The Spice Family from Milton 1509-1551
F) Our Spice family arrived in Turnham during the mid 1550s.
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A) The extended Spice Family from the Old Romney Area, Calehill Hundred, 1334-1407
- William Spyce of Romney, in Calehill Hundred (abt 1295?)
- is cited as the presumably deceased father of Hamo Spyce (2, below), in a 1342 real estate sale from Romney.
- As this is in Calehill Hundred, the immediate question if what relationship does he have to the Richard Spice who was listed in the 1334 Lay Subsidy? One would expect them to be related: brothers? Father and son? cousins?
- Hamo Spyce (abt 1315 - aft 1342) of Romney, in Calehill Hundred, was one of the sellers in 4 Mar 1342 Quitclaim From: Hamo son and heir of William Spyce of Romney To: Thomas de Bysschoppestone; Alexander Hanekyn, clerk For 7 acres of land, less 1 daywork, and for 1½ acres and 1½ virgates of land, which Thomas and Alexander have by the gift and feoffment of Roger de Everyngg, chaplain. Given at Agney [in Old Romney, Kent]. Witnesses: Richard de Middele; Richard Aleyn; Robert Godefrey; John de Frenscheshope; John Hamound; Hamo Hwateman; John Lynter; William de Trendele Endorsed with description and 'A.' in contemporary hand. Land described as being in Old Romney ('in veteri Romenale'). Canterbury Cathedral Archives, CCA-DCc-ChAnt/R/29
- Richard Spice of Calehill Hundred (abt 1310?-aft 1334) is listed in the Lay Subsidy as a small land landowner (only assessed 8d).
- Clement Spice (abt 1380-aft 1407) of Old Romney? is eight potential beneficiaries if John and Elizabeth Hende of London have no heirs, in a 1407 real estate transaction that includes land in Old Romney, Calehill Hundred, amidst 10 parcels in Essex and 4 in Kent, 1407 - CP 25/1/290/61, number 114. Link: Image of document at AALT County: Essex/ Kent. Place: Westminster.Date: Two weeks from Easter, 8 Henry [IV] [10 April 1407]. And afterwards one week from Holy Trinity in the same year [29 May 1407]. Parties: John Hende, citizen of London', and Elizabeth, his wife, querents, and William Effeld', clerk, deforciant. Property: The manors of Parua Canefeld', Parua Chishull' and Bradewell' by Coggeshale and the manor called Pycottes and 2 messuages, 3 mills, 800 acres of land, 32 acres of meadow, 72 acres of wood, 10 pounds of rent and a rent of 2 cocks and 20 hens in Bradewell', Feryng, Stystede, Coggeshale, Bockyng, Cressyng, Pateswyk, Parua Chishull' and Magna Chishull' and the advowson of the church of Parua in [sic] Chishull' in the county of Essex and the manors of Langeport, Olderomene, Ryngwelde and Cherleton' by Douorr' and the advowson of the church of Cherleton' by Douorr' in the county of Kent. Action: Plea of covenant. Agreement: John has acknowledged the manors, tenements, rents and advowsons to be the right of William, as those which William has of his gift. For this: William has granted to John and Elizabeth the manors, tenements, rents and advowsons and has rendered them to them in the court, to hold to John and Elizabeth and the heirs of their bodies, of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, remainder to John Co[o?]lpepir, John Preston', Robert de Teye, Clement Spice, Robert Rykedon', John Basset, Ellis de Bockyng' and Richard Thorp', clerk, and the heirs of Richard. Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.) Persons: John Hend, Elizabeth Hend, William Effield, John Culpeper, John Preston, Robert de They, Clement Spice, Robert Rickdon, John Basset, Ellis de Bocking, Richard Thorpe Places: London, Little Canfield, Little Chishall, Bradwell juxta Coggeshall, Coggeshall, Picots (in Great Saling), Feering, Stisted, Bocking, Cressing, Pattiswick, Great Chishall, Langport (in Lydd), Old Romney, Ringwould, Charlton, Dover
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B) The extended Spice family the north of Calehill Hundred (mid 1300s?-1600)
- John Spys of Smarden (abt 1340 - aft 1364) - obtained one of 30-odd leases that Archbishop Simon Langham gave in the woodlands of the Kentish weald in 1364.
- Grant of 9 Sep 1364 - From: Simon Langham, archbishop of Canterbury and papal legate To: 'Dominus' John Pevensey, rector of Smarden, archbishop's tenant; Robert of Hallinghurst [in Smarden], archbishop's tenant; William of Hallinghurst [in Smarden], archbishop's tenant; Simon Chedmynden', archbishop's tenant; Agnes widow of Thomas Doul of Egerton, archbishop's tenant; Denis of Elmhurst [in Brenchely], archbishop's tenant; Richard Pemell', archbishop's tenant; William Aleyn junior, archbishop's tenant; William Setenor', archbishop's tenant; Thomas Munde, archbishop's tenant; John son of Robert of Homersham [in Smarden], archbishop's tenant; John Chirel, archbishop's tenant; William Beste of Egerton, archbishop's tenant; William Newynden', archbishop's tenant; Thomas Hogeman, archbishop's tenant; John Bedyngden' of Smarden, archbishop's tenant; John Spys of Smarden, archbishop's tenant; Richard Romden of Smarden, archbishop's tenant Evidence shows that the archbishop's predecessors leased their estate in in the denn of 'Newynden'' for rents, services and suit of court as specified in the custumal of their manor of Charing, reserving to themselves all the wood in the estate ('fundus'). The present tenants and other intruders ('invasores') have been infringing the archbishop's timber rights. The archbishop grants them timber rights as specified. For an annual rent of assize of 7s 10d, payable as specified to the manor of Charing. Right of distraint. Reserving to the archbishop fealty, suit of court and the rents and customs anciently due, except pannage. The archbishop grants that when a relief is due it shall be paid according to the ancient rent. Archbishop's part of the indenture. Given at Charing [Kent]. Endorsed with description and note relating to the acount of Richard atte Welle, serjeant ('serviens') of Charing, in late 14th cent hands. - Canterbury Cathedral Archives CCA-DCc-ChAnt/C/1256
- Records of a family in Pluckley, only four miles from Smarden, start a century later with the wills of three males who appear to have been contemporary with each other:
- Robert Spyce is probably the son of one of three immediately above. His existence is cited as the grandfather of Robert Spyce in a 1544-1551 legal dispute over lands in Ashford. I suspect :
- John Spyce of Pluckley (5, below) was probably Robert's son
- Robert Spyce (6, below) was Robert's grandson and probably John's son
- John Spice of Pluckley (7, below) was related to this family, probably Robert or John's son.
- Robert Spice of Egerton (8, below) was also related to this family and probably in direct descent.
- Johnn Spyce (abt 1490?- 1557) whose will was written in 1545 an proved (1557 PRC/17/35/9c; PRC/16/28 S/12 OWF). He was one of the two parishioners that helped Pluckley's two church wardens and the parson make an inventory of Pluckley's church goods on Dec 11 1552. John is cited also purchased lands in Pluckley and Ashford, Calehill Hundred, between 1501 and 1543.
- John Spyce of Pluckley grant in trust to Thomas Best et al; 6 Sept 1501 Description: John Spyce of Pluckley to Thomas Best s. of John B. of Pluckley, John Burwasshe of Egerton and John his son, John Tylman, Thomas Tylman jun., and Thomas Hert all of Pluckley Kent History and Library Centre, U1107/T10
- 15 Oct 1510 grant in trust John Spyce one of there recpients George Bysshope of Pluckley, William Bysshope of Little Chart, Richard Abraham of Bethersden and Geoffrey Pymme of Chartham to Nicholas Derying of Pluckley, John Hales, John Tuck, John Spyce and Stephen Gylys - Teunnysfeld and Welhomes (12a.) in Pluckley next to Buklane Kent History and Library Centre U1107/T17
- John Spice purchased a house and lands in Pluckley and Ashford: 1542/43 (33 Henry VIII) - 1737. Jn Hoberd & wife Eliz to Jn Spyce. Mess, 20a land, 10a mead & 4a wood in Pluckley & Pevington. 100 mks. (10)
- Robert Spyce (abt 1524-aft 1551) purchased land and was also involved in a legal dispute over lands in Ashford
- Spyce v Rayner 1544-1551 Plaintiffs: Robert, grandson of Robert SPYCE, deceased.Defendants: George RAYNER.Subject: Detention of deeds relating to messuages, barns, and land in Westwell and Ashford, formerly of Richard Tylden. Kent Reference: The National Archives, Kew C 1/1268/57
- 1545/46 (36 Henry VIII) purchase - 2156. Robt Ham & wife Alice to Robt Spyce. Mess & shop in Ashford. 50 mks. (35a)
- Will of John Spice of Pluckley written 1598 proved 1599 PRC/17/51/271 PRC/16/115 S/6 (Canterbury Probate Records)
- Will of Katherine Spice of Egerton (possibly mother, or wife, of the Robert following?) 1584 PRC/32/35/85a; PRC/31/28 S/8 (Canterbury Probate Records)
- Robert Spice of Egerton, in Calehill Hundred, was a yeomen who served as constable in 1601. His will was proved in 1629 PRC/28/14/564 (Canterbury Probate Records) He is mentioned in:
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C) Thomas Spice from Boxley
- left a will in 1509 PRC/3/3/130
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D) The Spice Family from Lenham, a parish split between the Hundreds of Eyhorne and Calehill, starts with the wills of three men who appear to be contemporary.
- Will of Richard Spice of Lenham 1500 PRC/17/8/116
- Will of Nicholas Spice of Lenham 1508/1508 PRC/17/9/354b
- Will of John Spice Lenham 1510 PRC/17/11/304c
Some Lenham burials
- 1559, Feb15 - John SPICE, the sonne of Walter SPICE
- 1559, Oct 10 - Mother Spice
- 1563, Jul 10 - Walter SPICE, the sonne of John SPICE
- 1564, Dec 4 - Thomas SPICE, the sonne of John SPICE
- 1566, Dec 10 - Jane SPICE, the daughter of John SPICE
- 1567, Oct 25 - Alice SPIC, the daughter of John SPICE
- 1567, Nov 17 - Frauncis SPICE, the daughter of John SPICE
- 1570, Aug 7 - John SPICE
- 1563, Sep 30 - Edward SPICE
- 1573, Feb 9 - John SPICE, servant to Mr Parkhurst
- 1574. Apr 11 - ____ SPICE, the wife of Robert SPICE
- 1580, Oct 25 - John SPICE, the sonne of Robert SPICE
- 1580, Dec 19 - Anne, d/o Robert SPICE
- 1582, Jan 14 - ____ SPICE, infant of Robert SPICE
- 1583, Jan 29 - Anna SPICE d/o Robert SPICE
- 1588, JUl 17 - Robert SPICE, an owld man
- 1589, Mar 10 - Elizabeth d/o Robert SPICE
- 1589, Jul 2 - Edmund s/o Robert SPICE
- 1577, July 6 - Marian, daughter of John SPICE
- 1591, Mar 11 - Walter SPICE of Lynsted
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E) The Spice Family of Milton 1500- 1551
- Richard Spyce of Milton (abt 1485-aft 1509) married Margaret (abt 1490-) might be the "Richard Spycer" who was assessed 4d in Faversham , 8 miles east of Milton, during 1523/4. I suspect he may also be related to the Spice family from Lenham. Most of our information about them comes from the records of a house they sold n Milton 1509 - CP 25/1/117A/352, number 543. Link: Image of document at AALT
- County: Kent.Place: Westminster. Date:The day after the Purification of the Blessed Mary, 24 Henry VII [3 February 1509].
- Parties: Robert Church' and Joan, his wife, Robert Lambe, William Tylman' and John A Parke, querents, and Richard Spyce and Margaret, his wife, deforciants.
- Property: 1 messuage and 1 garden in Milton' iuxta Sedyngbourne.
- Action: Plea of covenant.
- Agreement: Richard and Margaret have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Joan, as those which Joan, Robert, Robert, William and John have of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and the heirs of Margaret to Robert and Joan, Robert, William and John and the heirs of Joan for ever.
- Warranty:Warranty.
- For this: Robert and Joan, Robert, William and John have given them 20 marks of silver. Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.)
- Persons: Robert Church, Joan Church, Robert Lamb, William Tilman, John A Park, Richard Spice, Margaret Spice
- Places: Milton Regis, Sittingbourne
- The widow Agnes Spice of Milton is probably Richard and Margaret's daughter, and left an administration on 25 November 1551, in which she mentions two daughters:
- Joan who married William Shrobsole of Milton
- Elizabeth who married Robert Haywode of Leysdowne on Sheppey
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F) Our Thurnham family.
Our Spice family is most likely related to both the Lenham and Milton Regis. The two parishes are within ten miles of Thurnham, where our ancestor William Spice arrived in the mid1500s. He named his only son "John," but this is both a very common name and at this point we seem to be ptimarily arguing more from the lack of evidence. We do not yet know, for example, who were the beneficiaries in the Lenham wills or if Richard Spice had other children besides Agnes.