George “Goodman” Spencer

The Origin of Hannah Spencer

"… a "Goodman" Spencer was steward of Capt. Lamberton on the voyage over, but dying on the passage was succeeded as steward by Roger Alling. He left an only daughter in the hands of Mr. Fowler and "Goodman" Tapp. This was Hannah Spencer, who seems to have been raised in Milford, Conn. She married, 2 May 1661, Benjamin Jones, and left a son Benjamin and descendants. Since [this] New Haven Spencer [was] acquainted with Roger Ailing, who was a native of Kempston, co. Bedford, and since there were Spencers in Kempston, it seems likely that they come from that vicinity. Descendants of Hannah (Spencer) Jones might do well to seek her origin there. We have not pursued this line of investigation further, as there is no proved connection between the Spencers of Stotfold and those of Kempston, and we have touched upon the matter here solely because of the clue to a Bedfordshire origin for Hannah and to forestall any possible attempts to identify her as a member of the Stotfold family."[2]

" 'May 6, 1640. Mr. Lamberton delivered into Court an account betwixt himself and Goodm Spencer, whom he employed as his steward att sea on his voyage hither; which service he allows him 5 lbs. and 10 s. for the whole voyage; but whereas he dyed before he had served half the voyage, he desired that Roger Allen who succeeded him should have one-half of the hyer.' "[3]

https://mathcs.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/report/rr01/rr01_399.html#P52318

See Donald Lines Jacobus article “The four Spencer brothers—their ancestors and descendants” in The American Genealogist 27 (1951), pages 79-81. Jacobus does not suggest that Goodman Spencer is related to the other Spencers in the article, but just mentions him in passing.

Jacobus mentions another Spencer New Haven man, however, who might have some relation to Goodman Spencer, namely a certain George Spencer. This George Spencer was hanged about 1641. He had lost one of his eyes when young, and when a piglet was born with one eye he was convicted of beastiality. He was the first non-Native American to be executed in Connecticut, and the second in the state after the Native American Nepauduck was executed for murder. The real reason for his execution appears to be his lack of piety.