William Spencer, Ancient Planter

Possible date of birth 1576.

He had four children: William, Alice, Ann and Elizabeth. Two children survived to adulthood: Elizabeth and Ann.

Married Alice [Lightfoot?] and reportedly had a second wife named Dorothy (some sources say she was his first wife; more research is needed).

Not to be confused with Ensign William Spence who arrived in 1607. See notes below.

------------------------------

Arrived Jamestowne, Virginia 1607 or 1611. Either with the Susan Constance or the Sarah. Records show his active involvement with colony.

"Sail w/ Cap. John Smith's 1st Expedition arrived 10/13/1607 Va. Colony"

Links

• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hemlockhill/Spencer.htm

[Please note, his alleged 1607 arrival appears to be a case of mistaken identity; he arrived 1611; see below.]

Please do not merge this record with one showing parents for William Spencer (unless you can prove them).

He is said to be a son of Robert Spencer and Rose Cokayne (aka Rhose, aka Cokain, Cockayne) of Cople Parish, Bedfordshire. They had a son William Spencer who was born 1576. Is there proof that this is the same man?

It seems more likely that the family was from WALES. His nephew Robert was insulted by his son-in-law, who called him a "Welch rogue Welch dog sonn of a whore...."

http://www.blueeyesbluebonnets.com/surnames/elizabeth-spencer/

• **************************************************************

There is NO PROOF of any relationship to Edmund Spenser, poet. Edmund Spenser's documented children were: Sylvanus, Katherine, and Peregrine.

• **************************************************************

Please note: WILLIAM SPENCER and WILLIAM SPENCE were two different men.

WILLIAM SPENCE, member of the 1619 House of Burgesses, is NOT William Spencer, husband of Alice [Lightfoot]. The two men, both "Ancient Planters," have often been confused with each other. Alas, the spellings were used interchangeably in some of the original records. Even the usually-reliable John Bennett Boddie confuses these two men.

William SPENCE arrived 1607, on the "Susan Constant." He lived at Archer's Hope, and was a member of the first assembly of the House of Burgesses for James City in 1619. By 1619 he bore the rank of Ensign. He and his wife went missing during the second Anglo-Powhatan War (reported by John Smith, 1622, verified by court order, 1626), and were eventually presumed dead. They left behind a three-year-old daughter, Sarah--Susan Bush was appointed her guardian. Sarah Spence married Robert Allison or Ellyson of Newcastle and Archer's Hope, 1589-1656:

Robert Ellyson, of Newcastle

William SPENCER arrived 1611, on the "Sarah," along with his wife Alice and his daughter, also Alice (she died young). He was Burgess of Mulberry Island in 1624 and in 1632-33 (please note, William SPENCE died c1623-24).

He may not have come in the First Supply, but our William is still on the list of approved Ancient Planters:

"The term "Ancient Planter" is applied to those persons who arrived in Virginia before 1616, remained for a period of three years, and paid their passage. They received the first patents of land in the new world as authorized by Sir Thomas Dale in 1618 for their personal adventure."

http://www.ancientplanters.org/about.htm

For more information about the difference between William Spence and William Spencer, see notes here: http://polenpoore.org/getperson.php?personID=I5107&tree=tree2

Dorman, John Frederick. 2004. Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5. Genealogical Pub. Co. 4th edition. Vol 3, Page 226, book lookup by Hill, C. [03/02/2024]

• *************************************************************

WILLIAM SPENCER arrived c. 1611 on the "SARAH." (Adventurers of Purse and Person, 2007, Vol. III, 4th Ed., page 226.)

As a "yeoman and Ancient Planter," William Spencer received a patent for 12 acres at James City, 14 Aug. 1624. This acreage was "part of his first dividend within the Island towards Goose Hill" and was to be deducted out of his divident at Spencer's Hole. In 1629 the General Court granted him permission to take up 400 acres "in any place not already taken up." Source: Adventurers of Purse & Person: VA 1607-1624/25

In the muster of 24 Jan. 1624/5 William Spencer resided at James Island (Jamestown) with his wife Alice and their daughter Alice, the family being well supplied, having ten barrels of corn, 200 fish and for their protection ammunition consisting of four pounds of powder, eight pounds of shot and three "pieces," along with twelve swine, three goats and two kids. They also had two dwelling houses and one boat.... Source: Adventurers of Purse & Person: VA 1607-1624/5 http://www.coveytrees.com/SpencerTree

On 21 January 1638, Nicholas Spencer, brother of William testified that John Lightfoot left all of his property to William Spencer in a nuncupative will. (Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia, page 181.) John Lightfoot thus appears to have been the father of Alice Lighfoot (or other relative).

Record showing date of death:

1685/6, January 4 - Indenture, Wm. Cockerham to Wm. Harris, 150 acres in Hog Island granted to Wm. Spencer, late of the County, dec'd February 1, 1637/8. Beginning at a marked white oak very neare a saw pitt in the line twixt said Cockerham and Robt. Barham, orphan, to the edge of the marsh of Hog Island Creek, east by a line dividing Cockerham and Wm. Sewards land, s and se by Jno. Case's cart path. (Note: this land deeded to Harris Taylor, grandson of Wm. Harris, to John Holt, Feb. 20, 1738/9).

• *************************************************************** LAND RECORDS 1624 Aug 14: William Spencer, Yeoman & Ancient Planter, 12 acs., James City; part of his 1st divident within the Island, towards Goose Hill, near land of Sir Thos. Dale & John Lytefoote, due for his personal adv. Land measured by Wm. Clayborne. Fee Rent: 3 pence...due yearly at Feast of St. Michael the Archangel....”which is to be abated out of his devidend at Spencers hole." [LVA Pat.#1, pg. 9]

1632 Sep 9: William Spencer of James Is., 250 acs on west sd. Lawne’s Creek at mouth, James Island, James City County [LVA Pat#1, p.120]

June 19, 1635 William Spencer [1], 1,100 acres on Lawne's Creek, adjoining a parcel of land which said Spencer has already taken up - due for the transportation of 22 servants (names below). By West, June 19, 1635. Head Rights: Robt. Stoakes, Edw'd Wilmott, Robt. Arnall, Ananias Coplestone, George Pruwer, Nicholas Atwell, Evan Williams, Franc Barle, Wm. Michaell, John Lewis, Katherine Perie, Ellen Alice, Antho. Streate, Hector Godbeare, Nicholas Spencer, Jon. Dodman, John Holdin, Thos. Powell, Thos. Smith, Thos. Clayton, Jon. Mathews, Eliz. Nicholson.

NOTE: See Virginia Historical Magazine, 1, 89. ABSTRACTS OF VIRGINIA LAND PATENTS Prepared By W.G. Stanard http://genealogytrails.com/vir/landpatents.html [LVA Pat.#1, p.249]

1637 Feb 6 - William Spencer, 1,350 acs. Lying in “Lawnes Creek”. [LVA Pat.#1, p. 521]

1667, May 24 - Nicholas Spencer of Lawne's Creek Parish (son of the aforementioned Nicholas), sells to Capt. Wm. Cockerham, a parcel formerly his uncle's: Wm. Spencer, deceased, and lately bequeathed to Nicholas Spencer by will or right of descent. (Surry Co. VA, D & W, Book I, 1652-1672, p. 287) 1685/6, January 4 - Indenture, Wm. Cockerham to Wm. Harris, 150 acs in Hog Island granted to Wm. Spencer, late of the County, dec'd February 1, 1637/8. Beg. near a saw pitt in the line twixt said Cockerham and Robt. Barham, orphan, to edge of the marsh of Hog Island Creek, east by a line dividing Cockerham and Wm. Sewards land, SSE by Jno. Case's cart path. (Surry Co., VA, D & W, Book I, 1652-1672, p. 287). (Note: this land deeded to Harris Taylor, grandson of Wm. Harris, to John Holt, Feb. 20, 1738/9).

http://www.coveytrees.com/SpencerTree

GEDCOM Source

"My Southern Family"

GEDCOM Source

[S3438]

Some Old Dudley Genealogy on GenCircles.com by FredMcCaleb EMail: n4ebS03691S02905S02730S03473S03473S03362S02886S04035S04140@

GEDCOM Source

Nicholas Atwell was transported to York County, Virginia by William Spencer on 19 Jun 1635

_____________________________

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Spencer-2006

William Spencer (1589 - 1638)
Privacy Level: Open (White) William Spencer Born 1589 in Englandmap Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling%28s%29 unknown] Husband of Alice (Lightfoot) Spencer — married [date unknown] [location unknown] DESCENDANTS descendants Father of Alice Spencer, William Spencer, Ann Spencer, Elizabeth (Spencer) Warren and Robert Spencer Died 1 Feb 1638 in James City, Surry County, Virginiamap Profile managers: Kerry Larson private message [send private message], Brenda Gravitt private message [send private message], Linda Griffin private message [send private message], and Lois Hirsch private message [send private message] Profile last modified 9 Sep 2019 | Created 1 Aug 2011 | Last significant change: 9 Sep 2019 19:35: Isaac Taylor edited a message from Isaac Taylor on the page for William Spencer (1589-1638). [Thank Isaac for this] This page has been accessed 3,417 times. The Birth Date is a rough estimate. See the text for details. Contents [hide] 1 Biography 1.1 Land Patents and Grants 1.2 Family and Personal Life 1.3 William Spencer ≠ William Spence 1.4 Research Notes 2 Sources Biography "The first Spencer male to set foot in the New World was, without much doubt, a William Spencer of Virginia. He arrived in a small ship named the Sarah,[1] between 1611 and April 1614."[2] Another source says that he arrived earlier, in 1608 aboard the so-called First Supply ship for the early colonists.[3] Yet a third version says he arrived in 1607 aboard the Sarah Constant.[4] An entire article was dedicated to the name of the ship, Sarah versus Susan. It concluded that Sarah was an error and that the earlier ship was named the Susan Constant.[5] [6] The early colonial ships were also discussed in Cavaliers and Pioneers[7] In addition to the name of the ship, part of the confusion is that a similarly named William Spence, a labourer, did arrive as part of the first supply in 1608.[8] The best evidence supports that William Spencer sailed on the Sara/Sarah in May 1611 with Sir Thomas Gates, docking in Jamestown on 30 Aug 1611. [9] [10] [11] Regardless of the exact date, William Spencer was one of the first colonists to America, well before the Mayflower sailed.

He was called a "Yeoman & Ancient Planter" when he patented 12 acres in James City on 14 Aug 1624.[12] An "ancient planter" was an early colonist who received a land grant from the Virginia Company of London.[13] [14] Those, like William Spencer, who paid for their own transport, called "personal adventure", received 100 acres rent-free. [15] His land was obtained under the charter of the London Company of Virginia (1609-1615), not under Royal Charter (1606-1608). [16] He was also referred to as a gentleman. [17] Gentleman and yeoman were both terms indicating significant social standing.[18]

He survived the Indian massacre of 1622 by the Powhatan.[19] Fewer than 1100 immigrants were still living in Virginia in Feb 1624.[20] In an accounting of the "State of the Colony in Virginia when it was returned by the Company to the Crown in 1625", William Spencer is listed as one of two dozen private land owners in James City.[21]

William Spencer's 1625 Muster Record:[22]

Muster Record Buildings Arms Records Food & Livestock Records Location James Island Boats 1 Powder 4 pounds Corn 10 barrels Ship Sarah Houses 2 Shot 8 pounds Dry Fish 200 Pieces 3 Goats 3 Kids 2 Swine 12 John Lytefoote (Lightfoot) "who came in the Seaventure with Sir Thomas Gages" left his estate to William Spencer by noncupative (i.e. oral) will.[23] William's brother, Nicholas, testified at the General Court on 21 Jan 1628/9 that "about 3 hours before John Lightfoote died, he called for William Spencer, who came, and Lightfoote gave William his whole estate."[24]

He was Burgess for Mulberry Island in 1624 and 1632-3.[25]

Land Patents and Grants

William Spencer's land in Surry County See source text for details. 14 Aug 1624: 12 acres, "part of his first devident"[12] 9 Sep 1632: 250 + 50 + 100 + 50 + 50 acres[26] 19 Jun 1635: 1100 acres[27] 28 Aug 1637: 550 acres[17] 10 Feb 1637: 1350 acres[28] On 19 Jun 1635, William Spencer was credited with transporting multiple servants to Virginia:

Ellen Alice[29] Robert Arnall[30] Nicholas Atwell[31] Francis Barle.[32] John Holdin[33] Thomas Smith[34] Nicholas Spencer[35] "For the importation into the Colony of Virginia, the settlers were granted 50 acres of land for each person brought over...The date in a large number of cases is probably not the year in which the immigrant arrived - he may have been in the colony several years - but the date when the colonist made application for his importation grant."[36] This is proven true given that Nicholas Atwell testified in court seven years earlier regarding the Lytefoote will.[37] Additionally, James Robinson was transported in the Charatie by Wm. Spencer in 1622.[38]

Family and Personal Life Other than sailing from England, the details of William Spencer's life before Virginia are unknown.[39]

The Jan 1625 muster, ordered by the new king, James I, found William living with wife Alice and four-year old daughter Alice on "James Iland" in "James Citty."[40][1] A son, William, had died in 1624.[41][42] "William had another wife named Dorthy who came to Virginia in the Neptune in 1619.[43] Whether she preceded Alice or followed her is not entirely clear. In any event, we hear no more of wife or daughter Alice."[10] McCartney says, "In 1629 Spencer patented 290 acres of land using the headright of his current wife, Dorothy..." but confoundingly also says, "It is unclear whether William married Dorothy before or after he wed wife Alice, with whom he was living in January 1625."[44]

Children:[45][46]

Alice, b. ca. 1620 William, d. 1624 Elizabeth, m. (1) Robert Sheppard (2) Thomas Warren Anne, m. (1) Charles Amry (2) William Cockerham He died on 1 Feb 1637/8 as reported in a Surry County land transcation: "1685/6, January 4 - Indenture, Wm. Cockerham to Wm. Harris, 150 acs in Hog Island granted to Wm. Spencer, late of the County, dec'd February 1, 1637/8".[47][48][49]

William Spencer ≠ William Spence William Spence was an indentured servant who arrived on 2 Jan 1607/8 aboard the John & Francis, the first of two ships making up the "First Supply". In some documents, he was referred to as William Spencer, adding to the confusion. He served his indenture and became a landowner. Rigby states that William Spence was the one with the title ensign.[50][51] He served on a jury on 5 Aug 1623.[50] He was married with children, none of whom seem to have survived beyond Jan 1624/5, possibly dying in the Powhatan-Anglo war[2] in the 1622 massacre[19]. There were five slain "at Ensigne Spences house"[52], but none of them his family.[53]. The same reference records William Spence, his wife and child as among the living of James Island[54]and that William and Mrs. Spence of James City were lost.[55][21]

Facts that apply to William Spence, not Spencer:

"Captain John Smith in referring to the men to whom Sir Thomas Dale had alloted forms for the raising of corn, said in 1614, 'From all those Farmers whereof the first was William Spencer, an honest, valiant, and industrious man, (and hath continued from 1607 to this present)..."[56] As discussed above, William Spence arrived in 1607/8, but William Spencer did not arrive until at least 1611. "Ensign William Spencer...with some others of the Ancient Planters being set free, were the first farmers that went forth..."[57][56] As William Spence was an indentured servant, the comment about being "set free" would apply to him, not William Spencer who paid for his personal adventure. "William Spencer has heretofore been identified in all biographries as a member of the First Assembly of Virginia held in 1619. This is because his record has been confused with that of Ensign William Spencer."[58] Tyler clearly conflates the two men in the section title "Spencer (Spence), William."[59]

Research Notes 10/05/2014 other profile by manager, Tom Green states birth took place in Wales, England and date of birth was 1560.[60] Date of marriage stated 1620 in James City, Surry, Va instead of England. Trudy Roach recommended a merge of Spencer-7438 and Spencer-7332, so Brenda Gravitt has made this note and merged the profiles.

1) Some records indicate that W. Spencer arrived in Virginia in 1607 aboard the Susan Constant with Captain Christopher Newport but others say in 1611 on the Sarah. As an ancient planter, he received 12 acres of land in Jamestown on 08/14/1624. 2) Death date was after 1633, some docs say 1637 and others say 1638. I will revise when I find a valid doc to support. 3) Marriage to Alice Lightfoot was before 1618. Some records say between 1613 - 1617. First child born 1618.

4) There is another connection with the Cockerham family here with land ownership. William's brother, Nicholas, had a son that was also named Nicholas, and he sold land to Captain William Cockerham on 5/24/1667, that he had inherited. It appears that the land had formerly been owned by his uncle, William Spencer before he inherited it.

5) "William Spencer is said to hail from the line of the Althorpes, that is the line of the Earl of Spencer, the pedigree of Diana, the late Princess of Wales", author unknown because I don't remember where I copied that down from. 6) Also, Major Robert Sheppard and Captain William Cockerham of the colonial militia appear to have inherited William Spencer's land because they were his son-in-laws and married to Elizabeth and Anne. 7) Burgess of Mulberry island in 1623-24 and in 1632-33

Sources ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hotten, p. 228 ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rigby, p. 7 ↑ Tyler, p. 329 ↑ Meyer, p. 580- ↑ Robinson, p. 515 ↑ Rigby, p. 8-9 ↑ Nugent, p. xii ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Jamestown Colonists," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jamestown_Colonists&oldi... (accessed May 31, 2017 ). ↑ Pace, p. 34 ↑ 10.0 10.1 Rigby, p. 9 ↑ http://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/sarah.htm ↑ 12.0 12.1 Nugent, p. 3 ↑ Nugent, p. xxvi ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Ancient planter," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ancient_planter&oldid=76... (accessed May 31, 2017). ↑ Nugent, p. xxiv ↑ Brown, p. 613 ↑ 17.0 17.1 Nugent, p. 70 ↑ Nobleman, Gentleman, Yeoman in colonial Virginia ↑ 19.0 19.1 Wikipedia contributors, "Indian massacre of 1622," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_massacre_of_1622&... (accessed May 31, 2017). ↑ Brown, p. 612 ↑ 21.0 21.1 Brown, p. 621 ↑ Muster, Search Results ↑ Nugent, p. xxx (entry for John Lytefoote) ↑ Rigby, p. 11 ↑ Burgesses, p. 22 ↑ Nugent, p. 16 ↑ Nugent, p. 28 ↑ Nugent, p. 81 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 6, p. 23 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 7, p. 53 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 6, p. 26 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 7, p. 54 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 6, p. 150 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 6, p. 24 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 6, p. 25 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 6, p. 21 ↑ Rigby, p. 11 ↑ Crozier, Vol. 6, p. 25 ↑ Rigby, p. 20 ↑ Muster, search Main Database for Spencer ↑ Muster, search Death Database for Spencer ↑ Hotten, p. 229 ↑ McIlwaine, p. 200 ↑ McCartney, p. 662-3 ↑ Rigby, p. 13-21 ↑ Holtzclaw, p. 370-1 ↑ Surry ↑ http://www.coveytrees.com/SpencerTree ↑ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hemlockhill/Spencer.htm ↑ 50.0 50.1 Minutes of the Council..., p. 129 ↑ Nugent, p. 4 (entry for John Johnson) ↑ Narratives..., p. 369 ↑ Virginia, p. 65 ↑ Virginia, p. 45 ↑ Virginia, p. 57 ↑ 56.0 56.1 Boddie, p. 47 ↑ Narratives..., p. 337 ↑ Boddie, p. 48 ↑ Tyler, p. 329 ↑ Source given was ew2.ged, creator unknown, imported Mar 18, 2007. More evidence is needed. Holtzclaw, B. C. "The Newsom Family: And Related Families of Surry, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Sussex Counties, Va." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 47, no. 4 (1939): 363-74. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4244982. p. 370- Martha W. McCartney. Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers, 1607-1635: A Biographical Dictionary. Genealogical Publishing Com; 2007. ISBN 978-0-8063-1774-8. p. 662–. The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Virginia Historical Society.; 1922. p. 272–. Nugent, Nell Marion. 1934. Cavaliers and pioneers; abstracts of Virginia land patents and grants, 1623-1800. Richmond: Press of the Dietz Print Co. Early Spencers of Virginia. H.W. Rigby; 1986. (Partial Copy) Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. 1915. Encyclopedia of Virginia biography. New York: Lewis historical Publishing Company. (Hathitrust.org, Archive.org) Meyer, Virginia M. 1987. Adventurers of purse and person: Virginia, 1607 - 1624,5. [Richmond, Va.]: Order of First Families of Virginia, 1607-1624/5. Hotten, John Camden. 1874. The original lists of persons of quality: emigrants, religious exiles, political rebels, serving men sold for a term of years, apprentices, children stolen, maidens pressed, and others, who went from Great Britain to the American plantations, 1600-1700. London ;New York: Empire State Book Co. (Hathitrust.org, Archive.org) "Minutes of the Council and General Court, 1622-1624." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 19, no. 2 (1911): 113-48. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4243124. Virginia, and H. R. McIlwaine. 1924. Minutes of the Council and General court of colonial Virginia: 1622-1632, 1670-1676 : with notes and excerpts from original Council and General court records, into 1683, now lost. Richmond, Va: [The Colonial Press, Everett Waddey Co.]. Robinson, Gregory, and Robin R. Goodison. "Sarah versus Susan." The William and Mary Quarterly 16, no. 4 (1936): 515-21. doi:10.2307/1920592. Virtual Jamestown, Introduction - 1624/5 Databases Virginia, and H. R. McIlwaine. 1915. Journals of the House of burgesses of Virginia, 1619-1658/59. Richmond, Va: [The Colonial Press, E. Waddey Co.]. John Bennett Boddie. Colonial Surry. Genealogical Publishing Com; 1974. ISBN 978-0-8063-0026-9. p. 47–. The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Virginia Historical Society.; 1922. p. 272–. Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. 1946. Narratives of early Virginia, 1606-1625. New York: Barnes & Noble. Alexander Brown. The First Republic in America: An Account of the Origin of this Nation, Written from the Records Then (1624) Concealed by the Council, Rather Than from the Histories Then Licensed by the Crown. Houghton; 1898. Surry County (Va.) Deed, Order and Will Books, 1645-1686. Local government records collection, Surry County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219. (http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi02989.xml) Crozier, William Armstrong. 1971. Virginia county records, Vol. VI. Vol. VI. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co. Crozier, William Armstrong. 1910. Virginia county records: volume VII. Hasbrouck, N.J.: Genealogical Assoc. Virginia, and Thos. H. Wynne. 1874. Colonial records of Virginia. Richmond, Va: R.F. Walker, superintendent public printing. David Edmund Pace. The Man Who Foiled a Jamestown Massacre: The Life and Times of Richard Pace of Pace's Paines. Paragon Publishing; 18 October 2016. ISBN 978-1-78222-481-5. Avant, David A. Some Southern Colonial Families. Tallahassee, Fla.: L'Avant Studios, 1982. Vol. 2; article 'Newsom Family of Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia' by Charles Hughes Hamlin, p.