ORIGINS
William was the first of our Spice family to arrive in Thurnham parish. He was most likely related to the Spice families in Lenham and Milton Regis, but we do not have enough data to make a firm connection.
MARRIAGE
William Spice probably married married Isodre, "or Izard," in the early 1560s.
He was a "householder," who owned property as well as a place called Christmill in Thurnham. William served as the parish churchwarden in 1583. William's will specifies that his son John was to inherit the property. John apparently cared for his mother because his 1604 will States Isodre is to have "use of a room in the present dwelling of Richard Winter." Isomer lived another three years and her will mentions two maids (Annis) and (Mare)
Isodre's family: as described in her will: she mentions a sister who married "Bills" and had a daughter named
Will of William Spice , Thurnham, [1592, 1592, PRC/17/49/178, PRC/16/100 S/10 Transcription:
- Wyllyam Spise of Thorneham., Will dated 14 Sep 1592.
- To be buried in the Thornham churchyard.
- Isodore my wife
- Daughter Joan to receive a legacy.
- Godson [grandson] Willm Spice to receive legacy. [The son of his son John.]
- Godson [grandson] Thomas Scovne [Scoones] to receive legacy. [Son of his dau. Joan.]
- Son John Spice named as executor and to receive property in Thurnham as well as a place called Christmill in Thornham. Legacies to Isodore and Joan from this property.
- Witnesses: Anthony Braston and John Crompe, Proved 21 Oct 1592.
Will of IZARD SPICE, widow, Thurnham, [1607, 1607, PRC/17/54/123, PRC/16/131 S/4
Transcription: [Izard is shown as Isodore in her husband's will and as Izard in her son John's will.]
- Izard Spice widow of William Spice of Thornham, Will dated 20 Oct 1607
- To be buried in the churchyard of Thornham.
- Appoints William Spice, the son of John Spice, as executor. [John is her son who predeceased her in 1604.]
- To Elizabeth Spice, the sister of the aforenamed William.
- To John Spice their brother
- To Edward Spice, Authuor Spice, and Richard Spice [Grandsons through John her son.]
- To Mary Scoones, the daughter of Edward Scoones [Edward is her son-in-law who married her daughter Jone who was deceased at this time.]
- To Thomas Scoones, John Scoones, and Edward Scoones [Children of the deceased Joan (Spice) Scoones.]
- To Edward Scoones their father [Son-in-law]
- To Sarah Winter and Goodwife Winter
- To Goodwife Gorham, wife of Arthur Gorham
- To my sister Bills [Note: No "Bills" found in Thurnham Church records for this period or earlier; but there is a John and Elizabeth Billes having children bap. starting in 1643.]
- To "my daughter Spice" [Not sure who this would be; the two known daughters, Agnes and Joan, are deceased by this time -- perhaps a daughter-in-law?]
- To my maid Annis
- To Alice the widow of one Newman of Maidstone
- To my maid Mare
- To widow Newman again
- To "her [widow Newman's] sister Judith"
- To "Jone another sister" [of widow Newman]
- To "Rebeccah Smith another sister" [of widow Newman]
- To An Bills, my sister's daughter
- To Jone Allen a widow & my goddaughter Nixmony?
- To my godson Steven Gorham
- To Goodman Winter
- More to "good: Gorham"
- Signed with a mark
- Witnesses: Richard Winter, John Apines?, John Crompe, Will proved 6 Nov 1607
Children:
- Agnes Spice (c 1 Jan 1564/5 Thurnham)
- John Spice Our ancestor (abt 1558)
- Joan Spice married Edward Scoones at Chart Sutton 5 Nov 1584 and was buried 26 Sep 1598 at the same place; Will of Edward Scoone at Chart Sutton 1615, PRC/17/61/429 (no Spice family mentioned). Scoones children" Thomas mentioned in William Spice's 1592 will. Mary, Thomas Scoones, John Scoones, and Edward Scoones mentioned in Izard Spices' 1607 will.]