Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Mrs. Gerard Spencer

Female Bef 1618 - Bef 1677  (< 59 years)


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  • Name Mrs. Gerard Spencer 
    Born Bef 1618  , , England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died Bef 1677  of Haddam, Hartford Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I4424  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family Gerard Spencer,   c. 25 Apr 1614, Saint Mary's, Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. From 17 Dec 1683 to 29 Jun 1685, Haddam, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 69 years) 
    Married Bef 1638  of Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F2063  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. The book "Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut," Lucius Barnes Barbour, 1982 ed.: "Gerald Spencer, son of Michael and Elizabeth, bp. May 26, 1576 (Eng.) mar. Alice. Children:
      William, bp. Oct 11, 1601 m. Agnes.
      Thomas, bp. Mch 29, 1607, m/1 (), m/2 Sarah Bearding.
      Michael, bp. May 5, 1611.
      Gerald, bp. Apl 25, 1614, m. Hannah.

      2. "The Great Migration," by Robert Charles Anderson:
      "Jared Spencer
      Origin: Stotfold, Bedford.
      Migration: 1634 (based on grant of land at Cambridge on 1 September 1634 [CaTR 10]).
      First Residence: Cambridge.
      Removes Lynn 1636, Hartford 1660, Haddam 1662...
      Marriage:
      (1) By about 1638 ___ [TAG 27:165]. (See Comments below.)
      (perhaps) (2) Rebecca (Porter) Clark, daughter of John Porter {1639, Windsor} and widow of John Clark [TAG 27:164-65]...
      Associations: Jared Spencer was brother of William Spencer {1631, Cambridge} [GMB 3:1721-25], Thomas Spencer {1633, Cambridge} [GMB 3:1718-21], and Michael Spencer {1634, Cambridge} [TAG 27:84].
      Elizabeth, the wife of Timothy Tomlins {1632, Cambridge}, was probably sister of Jared Spencer [TAG 41:109-18; GMB 3:1828-30].
      Comments: ...Jacobus observed that "Since the publication of Goodwin's Genealogical Notes in 1856, the early wife of Gerard who was the mother of his children has always been named as Hannah. The present compiler follows these authorities, though confessing that he has not seen an original source or quoted contemporary record so naming her" [TAG 27:165]. We suggest that the given name of his first wife may have been Grace. Two of the sons of Jared Spencer named daughters Grace [TAG 27:169, 170], and Jared made a special point of making small bequests to these two grandchildren when many other grandchildren went unmentioned...
      On 7 March 1660/1, "Simon Lobdell" sued "Jared and Hannah Spencer in an action of the case she refusing to marry with him according to promise and Jared for breach of promise to the value of £150 damage" [RPCC 222, 227]. At the same court, "the magistrates and jury in Simon Lobdel's case do return this as a special verdict. That they find not any positive engagement broken by her respecting conjugal relation or absolutely binding her to consummate such a relation. Nevertheless we find upon evidence that Simon hath sustained much damage by their occasion and therefore do find it just and meet that all expenses that he hath been at in reference to these proceedings &c. Jared shall repay to the said Simon and to return any goods or money received by Jared or any of his family from the said Simon. And further that the said Simon shall have paid unto him as recompense for his damage ten pounds within the space of six months" [RPCC 232]. At a General Court on 14 March 1660/1, "in answer to Simon Lobdells' petition:1. This court admits not a further hearing of the case. 2. It's ordered that the special verdict drawn up by the Particular Court, respecting Simon's case against Jared and Hannah Spencer, shall stand firm to issue in that business. 3. In reference to the just expenses mentioned in the verdict, it's ordered that Jared Spencer shall pay unto Simon Lobdell, five pounds, besides the ten pounds mentioned in the verdict. All which sum of fifteen pounds shall be paid in wheat and pease or other estate equivalent, five pounds to be paid by the 10th of April, the other ten pounds according as is specified in the special verdict. And this is to be a final issue" [CCCR 1:360-61; RPCC 232]..."

      3. "The American Genealogist," Vol. 27 "The Four Spencer Brothers: Their Ancestors and Descendants," compiled by Donald Lines Jacobus, M. A., pp. 164-65:
      "Ensign Gerard1 Spencer, baptized. at Stotfold, Beds, England, 25 Apr. 1615, died at Haddam, Conn., in 1685 (will 17 Sept. 1683, proved 3 Sept. 1685); married first, Hannah ___, who died before her husband made his will in 1683 and perhaps much earlier; perhaps married second, after 1677, Rebecca (Porter) Clark, baptized at Felsted, co. Essex, England, 16 Sept. 1630, died 9 Jan. 1682/3 (recorded at Saybrook), daughter of John and Anne (White) Porter of Windsor, and widow of John Clark of Saybrook.
      Gerard settled in Lynn, Mass., later came to Hartford and thence to Haddam, Conn. There are several good accounts of him and his family in print, but some of them omit the daughter Sarah, proved by an undated deed in Haddam Deeds [1:49] given by "Steuen Backas with my wief Sarah of Norwich" to Daniel Brainerd of Haddam of one acre "that fell to us by portion of the estat of our father Garrard Spencer."
      The second marriage is suggested for Gerard because there was, by elimination, no other adult Spencer in Connecticut of proper age to be the widow Clark's husband (and unencumbered with a wife known to be living) except his brother Thomas, who was an older man and resident at a greater distance from Saybrook. Nevertheless, she may have been a third wife of Sergt. Thomas Spencer. All that the records disclose is that she died under the name of Spencer, and the loss of the early New London probate records where her estate was settled may leave it forever a matter of conjecture who her Spencer husband was. Gerard's will does not even name all his children, and lack of reference to a wife may be explained in either of two ways. A second wife may have been provided for by prenuptial agreement; or such a marriage may have occurred after the will was made.
      Since the Publication of Goodwin's "Genealogical Notes" in 1856, the early wife of Gerard who was mother of his children has always been named as Hannah. The present compiler follows these authorities, though confessing that he has not seen an original or quoted contemporary record so naming her. Still, such a record may exist. The birth dates assigned to the children below are mostly guesses.
      Children:
      i. John2, b. ca. 1636; d. 3 Aug. 1682.
      ii. Mehitabel, b. ca. 1638; d. 1691; m. by 1661, Daniel Cone of Haddam, b. ca. 1627, d. 24 Oct. 1706 in 80th yr.; ten children.
      iii. Hannah, b. ca. 1640; d. by 1691; m. ca. 1664, Daniel Brainerd of Haddam, b. ca. 1641, d. 1 Apr. 1715 ae. 74. He m. (2) 29 Nov. 1698, Hannah (Spencer) Sexton (No. 7, vii).
      iv. Marah, b. ca. 1642; d. before 22 Dec. 1714; m. (1) in 1662, Thomas Brooks, who d. at Haddam, 18 Oct. 1668; four children; m. (2) in 1669, Thomas Shaylor of Haddam, who d. ca. 1692; five children.
      v. Sarah, b. ca. 1644; living 1707; m. Dec. 1666, Stephen Backus of Norwich, b. ca. 1642, d. at Canterbury, in 1695, son of William; eight children.
      vi. Elizabeth, b. ca. 1646; m. ca. 1666, Joseph Stannard of Saybrook, who d. 20 Aug. 1688.
      vii. Thomas, b. ca. 1648; d. Feb. 1698/9.
      viii. Samuel, b. ca. 1650; d. 7 Aug. 1705.
      ix. Timothy, b. ca. 1652;d. 1704.
      x. Ruth, b. ca. 1654; d. at Haddam, 28 Nov. 1744 ae. 90; m. Joseph Clark, whose will dated 24 Oct. 1716 is recorded in Haddam Deeds (2:255), son of William.
      xi. William, b. ca. 1656; d. 1731.
      xii. Nathaniel, b. ca. 1658; d. before 1722.
      xiii. Rebecca, b. ca. 1660; d. before 1706; m. (1) ca. 1682, John Kennard of Haddam, who d. 1688; m. (2) after Feb. 1689, John Tanner."

      4. FHL book 929.273 Sp33 "The Spencers of the Great Migration," by Jack Taif Spencer and Edith Woolley Spencer (Gateway Press, Baltimore; 1997) vol. 1, pp. 211-236: [Note: this same exact entry appears unchanged in the periodical "Connecticut Nutmegger," vol. 29 (March 1997), pp. 592-615.]
      "GERARD1 SPENCER - A PIONEER OF CAMBRIDGE, LYNN, HARTFORD, AND HADDAM.
      I. THE BACKGROUND.
      Gerard1 Spencer (16-1685) along with his older brothers, William (1601-1640), Thomas (1607-1687), and Michael (161 1-1653) were among the very first settlers in New England under the auspices of the Massachusetts Bay Company. Their sister, Elizabeth Spencer, also was a pioneer as the wife of Timothy Tomlins. Almost certainly all were among the first passengers of the Winthrop Fleet when the first contingent of eleven ships reached New England in 1630. If all of the Spencer siblings were not in this first contingent, it seems certain that at least Elizabeth and Timothy Tomlins were in the first convoy because they were at Saugus (Lynn), Massachusetts in 1630. We have confirmation that William1 Spencer was at Newe Towne (Cambridge) in 163 1 and very likely he and all his brothers were there in 1630 (Paige). William Spencer was one of the first eight settlers to be the founders of Cambridge, Massachusetts (Paige).
      All of the Spencer siblings were born in the early 1600's in Stotfold, county Bedfordshire, England. Their parents were GerardA Spencer (1576- ) and Alice Whitbread. The Spencer ancestry in England dates from the Norman invasion of 1066 A.D. And the Battle of Hastings. Over the centuries, there were several lines of Spencer descendants, but the group of our immediate interest had lived in county Bedfordshire for many generations, especially in the towns of Edworth and Stotfold. All of the siblings were in their early adult years in the early 1600's, hence among the most eligible for a new life in New England. All appear to have embraced the Puritan faith as evidenced by their membership in the church and, for the males, the attainment of Freemanship in the political hierarchy.
      The present authors have written extensively on William, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Michael Spencer in earlier articles. The present story on Gerard will complete the series for the five siblings who became the ancestors of hundreds (even thousands) of Spencer descendants living in many parts of the world and especially in the United States.
      In examining the life of Gerard1 Spencer, we should note that he probably became the most affluent of the five siblings to judge by the extent of his land holdings when he died at Haddam, Connecticut, in 1685. In seeking an explanation for the greater value of his estate compared with his siblings, the fact that he lived to a remarkably old age (81) for his time is certainly an important element. We must recall that William1 died at 39, Michael1 at 42, and Elizabeth's husband (Timothy Tomlins) probably in his mid-forties. Consequently, two of the male siblings did not have sufficient longevity to acquire sizeable estates. Thomas1 enjoyed four score years and was an accomplished artisan in woodworking (turning). He also acquired a large family (9 children), although somewhat smaller than Gerard's family (13 children).
      In addition to hard work, a long life, and good luck, there was perhaps an even greater factor influencing the growth of assets in this early period, namely the number of children in a family. We must recall that children assumed the work of an adult in their early teens, unlike the late twentieth century where young people often are dependent on parents into the early or mid-twenties. Hence, a sizeable family back in the early 1600's in New England had the foundation for a large work force with very little outlay in wages and associated benefits. These seem to be the multiple factors contributing to the greater wealth enjoyed by Thomas1 and Gerard1 Spencer.
      In Gerard's case, he also seemed disposed to acquire land not immediately useful for crop production. Here we note a considerable list of parcels which were woodland, swamp, or meadow. Was this a deliberate plan to invest in land with little immediate value, but which might increase in value over an extended period? This pattern of land acquisition was especially noticeable in Gerard's land holdings at Hartford beginning in 1659 ("Land Distribution in Hartford, 1639") and in his holdings at Haddam beginning in 1662. In the very early period in New England, such additional acquisitions would not have been possible under the existing rules.
      II. Contemporary Events in Gerard's Lifetime (17th Century).
      We shall touch only briefly upon the forces which shaped history during Gerard's lifetime that spanned nearly all of the 1600's. In England in the early years of the century, the great struggle continued between the followers of Puritanism and the Church of England. Only ten years after the Winthrop Fleet set out for New England in 1630, a great English Civil War erupted leading eventually to the destruction of the monarchy and the rise to power of Oliver Cromwell. The year 1658 saw the death of Cromwell and the accession to the throne of Charles II by 1660.
      The 1600's saw a continuing struggle between the English and Dutch for the control of New Amsterdam (New York) which extended even to the lower reaches of the Connecticut River Valley. The French, on the other hand, concerned themselves with the expansion of an empire in Nova Scotia, Quebec, and the exploration of the Mississippi Valley. By 1681, the French explorer La Salle had claimed the entire region to the mouth of the great river and called it "Louisiana". In the same year, William Penn founded Philadelphia.
      Back in New England, the first witch was executed at Salem in 1648 and witchcraft trials were still in vogue as late as 1692. In 1650, the population of the New England colonies stood at 52,000. Twenty years later (1670) there were about 1 15,000 people in New England and 40,000 in Virginia. By 1680, New England had 155,000 people. The New England fishing industry in 1675 embraced 600 ships and employed 4,000 workers.
      There were two major conflicts with the Indians in the 1600's. The Pequot War of 1637 was a short but bloody conflict in which Sgt. Thomas1 Spencer became involved directly on the battlefield. Nearly half a century later, the King Philip War (1675-1676) resulted in the destruction of scores of settlements and the death of many pioneer men, women, and children throughout much of New England. Suffield, Connecticut, where many of the Spencer pioneers lived, was destroyed and the inhabitants fled to more secure havens, principally Springfield, Massachusetts. Gerard1 Spencer held the rank of Ensign in the Haddam Train Band during the King Philip War. Since he was then 61 years of age, it seems doubtful if he was a direct participant in the campaigns against the Indians.
      Despite the Indian threat and the prevalence of many regional and international struggles throughout the 1600's, it seems clear that Gerard1 Spencer and his large family successfully initiated new lives in three wilderness locations (Lynn, Hartford, Haddam) and attained a significant degree of prosperity.
      III. The Family of Gerard1 Spencer
      The Family of Gerard1 Spencer (16-1685). Ensign Gerard Spencer, son of GerardA Spencer and Alice Whitbread, was baptized at St. Mary's Parish, Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, 25 April 1614. Gerard1 was in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from about 1630 to 1637 with his brothers, William, Thomas, and Michael Spencer, but emigrated to Lynn, Massachusetts in 1637. He spent the next 22 years at Lynn (until 1659), when he emigrated to Hartford for a period of two or three years. In 1662, he became one of a small group of pioneers who founded Haddam, Connecticut.
      Gerard appears to have been married at least twice, first to "Hannah" about 1635 and then "Hannah Hills", who may have been one and the same. All the children (except possibly the last) were born at Lynn. Rebecca, the thirteenth Child, could have been born at Hartford. The name of Hannah Hills appears only once in the IGI records when Samuel, the eighth child was born.
      (2) Rebecca (Porter) Clark (1630-1683) marr. Gerard1 in 1677 at Saybrook, Middlesex County, Connecticut (IGI). Rebecca born 16 Sept 1630 at Felsted, Essex co. England; d. 9 Jan 1683 at Saybrook. (Goodwin calls her "Rebecca Howard"). (Jacobus uncertain if Rebecca marr. Gerard1).
      Children
      Chronologically, the first six children were by the "first Hannah" and the remaining seven by "Hannah Hills" who may have been different from the "first Hannah" whose surname is uncertain. There were no children by Rebecca (Porter)(Clark) Spencer... [KP note: Book details children of Gerard; however, I do not transcribe the information.]
      III. Gerard's Years at Cambridge, ca1631-1637.
      The town of Cambridge, Massachusetts, originally called "Newe Towne" by the early settlers, was founded either early in 163 1 or 1632 by eight settlers who were among the passengers on the first contingent of the Winthrop Fleet in 1630. One of the eight settlers was William1 Spencer (1601-1640), the oldest of the five Spencer siblings from county Bedfordshire, England. It is certain that Thomas1 Spencer (1607-1687), the second oldest brother, accompanied William1 on this great adventure to the New World. The dwellings of both William and Thomas in Newe Towne were shown on the earliest known map dated 1635 (Paige). There were no dwellings shown for the two youngest brothers, Michael1 (1611-1653) and Gerard1 (1614-1685). However, both Michael and Gerard were listed in 1635 as having small land grants of four acres each. Since there is no record of the Spencers in the known passenger lists among the first ships of "The Great Migration", we can only assume that the brothers came as a group. Michael was 19 in 1630, while Gerard was 16. It would be natural for the two younger brothers to come under the protective umbrella of the older brothers considering the extreme risks involved in such an unknown enterprise.
      In the entire records of the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Company from 1630 to 1641, there are only two entries for Gerard1 Spencer. On 19 March 1639 "Garrett Spencer is granted the fferry at Linn for 2 years, taking 2d for a person to the furthest place, and but a 1d a pson for more to the furthest place but a 1d for a single pson to the nearest place." A more detailed account described "The ferry from Needham's Landing in Lynn to Ballard's Landing in Saugus." Also in 1639, the General Court allocated 50 pounds towards a bridge spanning the Saugus River.
      The second entry in the Court Records is dated 9 March 1637 when "Gerrett Spencer" was elevated to Freeman. These very limited entries contrast with those for his older brother William who had several dozen entries, mostly relating to his services for surveys of municipal boundaries.
      The absence of records on Gerard i s reflected in the standard histories of early Cambridge (Paige and Brandon) which make no reference to him. Both Michael' and Gerard1 remained in Newe Towne until 1637 when they are listed as settlers at Lynn (Saugus). The present authors already have prepared a detailed report on the life of Michael1 Spencer at Lynn up to the time of his death in 1653.
      IV. Gerard's Years at Lynn 1637-ca1659.
      There undoubtedly were at least three major factors in the decision made by Michael and Gerard Spencer to emigrate from Cambridge to Lynn (Saugus) in 1637. During 1635 and 1636, there was great turmoil at Cambridge due to the nearly total evacuation of the population to Hartford under the leadership of the Rev. Thomas Hooker. Nearly all of the property in Cambridge changed hands, most of it sold ID the followers of the Rev. Thomas Shepard. Although William1 Spencer remained on at Cambridge until 1638 or 1639, his two younger brothers decided to move on to Lynn in 1637.
      The second motivating factor for Michael and Gerard probably was the availability of land at Lynn. The land records at Cambridge showed an allocation of only four acres each to Michael and Gerard. The records at Lynn, however, showed an immediate allotment of thirty acres each in 1638 (Lewis and Newhall).
      Finally, the presence of Elizabeth1 (Spencer) Tomlins at Lynn undoubtedly was influential in promoting the emigration of the two young brothers. Elizabeth's husband, Timothy Tomlins (-1645), was a leader from the very first days of Lynn. He served several terms as a Deputy to the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Company. Timothy's brother, Edward Tomlins, also was a prominent figure in the early history of Lynn.
      Lynn (Saugus) was first settled by five families who emigrated from nearby Salem in 1629. These individuals, of course, had come to New England in advance of the first vessels of the Winthrop Fleet which did not arrive until the summer of 1630. About 50 settlers arrived in Saugus in 1630, including Timothy and Edward Tomlins. Many of the settlers were described as having families. Since there is no later record of Elizabeth Tomlins on the passenger lists as an emigrant, it seems logical to believe that she had accompanied her husband Timothy to New England in 1630.
      Newhall presents an interesting list of chronological events at Lynn which are repeated here covering the early and later years up to 1659 which seems the most likely date when Gerard1 Spencer emigrated to Hartford after spending 22 years of his adult life at Lynn.
      1630. Wolves kill several swine belonging to the settlers, September 30.
      1631. Governor Winthrop passed through the settlement, Oct. 28, and noted that the crops were plentiful.
      1633. A corn mill, the first in the settlement, built on Strawberry Brook.
      1634. The settlement sends its first representative, Capt. Nathaniel Turner, to the General Court.
      1635. Philip Kertland, the first shoemaker, arrives.
      1637. Name of the settlement changed from Saugus to Lynn. At this time there were 37 plows in the colony, most of them in Lynn. Settlement of Sandwich commenced by emigrants from Lynn.
      1638. First division of lands among the inhabitants.
      1639. Ferry established across Saugus river. First bridge built over Saugus River at Boston street crossing.
      1643. Iron works established near Saugus river; the first in America.
      1646. Lynn made a market town-Tuesday, the lecture day, being market day;
      Perhaps the best account of Gerard's years at Lynn was summarized by Henry C. Spencer (Le DeSpencer 1993):
      Gerard Spencer was a juryman from Lynn at a county court held the 25th of the 10th month, 1638. He was made Ensign of the trainband at Lynn. In September of 1639, Joseph Armitage and Gerard Spencer signed a bond as security for Daniel Salmon. In 1641, Gerard and another person made an oath as to the intent of William Ballard, deceased, to have a will and testified as to Ballard's stated desire concerning the disposal of his property. In February 1644, the estate of Abraham Belknap, late of Lynn, is recorded as being indebted to Gerard Spencer.
      In June 1643, Gerard bore witness that a neighbor woman spoke contemptuously of infant baptism, heresy in Puritan New England. In December 1643, Gerard Spencer and John Deacon testified that Joseph Armitage sold wine at retail without license. At the same court, Gerard "deposed that on artillery training day coming from Salem with others, Edward Richard over took them and that he was distempered with drink, stumbled in his going and faltered in his speech".
      Gerard had an interest in another case called the "case of a cow". The animal had evidently died prematurely and the decision rendered with the consent of Gerard Spencer "the defendant shall have 3 pounds and the benefit of the dead beast". During the same court, several men were presented for turning their cattle into the general field before the corn was gathered, and for that offense they were to pay damage to Gerard Spencer and two other men. Gerard served on trial juries in March and September 1639, June 1652, June 1657, and June 1658 and on the Grand Jury in November 1659.
      Brother Michael Spencer died in 1653 in Lynn, and administration of his estate was granted to Gerard 29 November, 1653. The estate was small, and was ordered sold "for the bringing up of Michael's children".
      Despite these accounts of somewhat minor events during the 22 or 23 years Gerard spent at Lynn, we have no clear record of his occupational activities. One early writer (Harold Spencer) described Gerard as a "journeyman" (a worker who has learned a handicraft or trade - distinguished from an apprentice). There seems no factual evidence that Gerard was an artisan like his brother Thomas1 Spencer who was a well-known "turner" in the Connecticut River Valley and who created a dynasty of woodworkers lasting more than a century and a half.
      It has been noted from land records that Gerard was addicted to the acquisition of extensive property holdings in both Hartford and Haddam, Connecticut. From the records in both locations, he seemed interested not only in cultivable land, but also in the acquisition of extensive tracts of woodland, meadow (pasture), and swamp. Swamp grasses, of course, often were useful for haying purposes or even for the thatching of rooftops. Did this pattern of property holdings indicate a "visionary" man who could foresee the increasing value of non-cultivable land held over a period of time? Certainly by the time of his death in 1685, Gerard1 Spencer must have become one of the most affluent men in his local community or even in a regional setting.
      The land records at Hartford indicated that his acquisitions began as early as 1659, although he was still listed as a member of the Grand Jury at Lynn in November of that year. He appears to have been actively purchasing land at Hartford up to and including 1664 (Hartford Land Distribution), but at the same time he was identified (along with his son John) as one of the original proprietors at Haddam, Connecticut, in 1662. Why was there this brief interlude at Hartford from about 1659 to 1662? Perhaps the availability of land at Haddam was not foreseen because it was not until 1662 that the General Court provided the funds to purchase the land in and around the Haddam area from the Indians. The original proprietors consisted of 28 men (families?) from Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford.
      It is of interest that Gerard continued to hold property at Lynn (or adjacent to Salem) which he did not sell until 1679, almost at the end of his long agricultural career (Starr). The transaction was dated 15 May 1679: "Ensigne Jerard Spencer of Haddam in Connetticot sold to Capt. George Corwin, of Salem, two p'cells of land in Salem afores'd containing twenty five acres, be it more or less, twenty acres whereof lyeth within fence & in a greater p'cel containing the whole forty acres & is bounded on the great pond on ye east the rocks on ye northwest. Linn bounds on ye southwest, a swamp northeast & five acres on ye west side of ye pond."
      V. Gerard's Years at Hartford 1659/60-1662.
      After 22 years at Lynn and at age 45, Gerard1 Spencer decided to pull up stakes in 1659 or 1660 at Lynn, Massachusetts, and emigrate to Hartford, Connecticut, where his brother, Thomas1 Spencer (1607-1687), had been living for nearly a quarter century and had established a highly successful woodworking shop which was to continue with his descendants for several generations. Gerard probably no longer had any close kin folks in Lynn since his brother Michael had died in 1653 and his brother-in-law, Timothy Tomlins, had died in 1645.
      Of course, Gerard himself had a large number of children ranging in age from John at 24 to Rebecca about one year of age. Gerard's other sons were Thomas age 12; Samuel age 10; Timothy age 8; William age 4; and Nathaniel age 2. Perhaps it was Gerard's concern for the future of these boys that led him to consider prospects for re-location. Still, locating in Hartford which was now completing nearly a quarter century of growth would hardly have opened up new vistas for the children. We can visualize a scenario where Gerard made the shift to Hartford late in 1659 as a "stopgap" while he awaited a move for the General Court to open up the territory south of Hartford along the Connecticut River. Actually, the nature of his purchases in Hartford lend support to this "temporary" arrangement because none of the purchases (nine in all) embraced any sizeable amount of cultivable land. One of the purchases, however, did include a house and barn in Hartford, so it seems certain that he did live in that town at least for a short period. He was, in fact, admitted as an inhabitant of Hartford in 1660.
      Late in 1659 (Land Distribution Records of Hartford), Gerard Spencer bought nine parcels of land from John Norton who was moving to Farmington. These parcels ranged in size from 1.5 to 30 acres. One parcel included the following: "One percell of land Containing by estimation one Acre & Two rood (be it more or lesse) together wth a house and Barne Standing thereon, which percel of land abutts on the High way leading from the oxpasture to the mill on the weft: on land appoynted for a buriing place & Richard Lords land east. on John Stedmans land Sowth & on of: Goodwins land North."
      Gerard signed a bond of indebtedness from John Norton for one hundred twenty two pounds and ten shillings. John Norton lost the paper stating this amount was repaid by Gerard Spencer, but did not report it until February of 1664. Finally, in 1667, the following note was entered in the Hartford land records:
      "These presents witness that whereas Jarrad Spencer of Hartford was Indebted unto me John Norton of farmington the Sume of cwie Hundred Twenty Two pownds & Tenn Shillings for certaine percells of land & houseing Situate at hartford in the Colony of Conectcutt in New England, & that I the Sayd John Nortin did receiue of the Sayd Jarrad Spencer, obligation By Bond for the ample performance of the Sayd Sume to Content, & now at present the Sayd Instrument cannot be fownd So as to deliuered up unto him, These presents are to witnesse that I John Norton haue receiued of and from the Sayd Jarad Spencer ample & full Sattisfaction according to the Tenure thereof & I doe for my selfe Heires executo Administrators and afsignes fully acquit exonerat & difecharge the Sayd Jarred Spencer his heirs executors & assignes of & from that Sayd instrument or anything therin contained & of & from all dues depts demands or accounts of any Nature or kind that are or haue bene between us from the begining of the world unto this present day witnes my hand this Twenty Third of February 1664.
      John Norton
      witnefs Samuel Steele wm Edwards
      This is a true Coppy of the origanell being Examined & Compared therewith, & recorded this 29th of January 1667
      me John Allyn Secret'y & register."
      There is additional confirmation of Gerard's presence in Hartford in 1660 when Simon Lobdell sued Gerard and daughter Hannah (age 19) because the latter refused to marry Lobdell as she had promised. We know that Lobdell was at Hartford in 1655 and was elevated to Freeman in 1657 (Savage). He was at Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1666.
      An interesting aspect of Gerard's property holdings at Hartford is that there is no record in the Land Distribution listings of the dates when he sold these properties. This official record for Hartford extends well up into the 1700's, many years after the death of Gerard1 at Haddam in 1685. This is a strange anomaly since all the purchases at the earlier date seemed to have been listed in detail.
      To summarize Gerard's short interlude at Hartford, it is possible that it spanned only a few months, perhaps from late in 1659 to the summer of 1662 when the family settled at Haddam.
      There is the distinct impression that Gerard intended to settle permanently at Hartford (nine land purchases) and then suddenly shifted gears when an unexpected opportunity opened up at Haddam for more acquisitions of land.
      VI. Gerard's Years at Haddam 1662-1685.
      The founding of Haddam occurred in a significant year of Connecticut history for i t was in 1662 that John Winthrop, J r. made his historic trip to England in search of a Royal Charter for the colony. Up to that time there had been serious doubts about the legal basis (Fundamental Orders) upon which the colony rested. Winthrop's trip was an outstanding success and he returned with the Connecticut Charter of 1662 emanating directly from the Crown.
      We find a direct Spencer connection with the ceremonies attendant upon Winthrop's return. Thomas1 Spencer and Nicholas Disbrow of Hartford designed "The Great Winthrop Chair" which is considered a classic of the period and is still preserved in the museum.
      In this same year (1662), a large tract of land southeast of Hartford was purchased for a new Plantation to be known as "Thirty Mile Island" (Haddam and East Haddam). One source listed the General Court of Massachusetts as the purchaser, while other sources have listed Mathew Allyn and Samuel Willys of Hartford as the purchasers. Today, most of this tract would occupy the entire central section of Middlesex County. The price was a mere "30 coats" having an estimated value of one hundred dollars by early 19th century standards (Barber). The 28 young men, mostly from Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor included the surnames of ACKLEY, ARNOLD, BAILEY, BRAINARD, BROOKS, CLARKE, CONE, GATES, SHAYLER, SPENCER (GERARD1, JOHN2), two SMITHS, VENTRES, WELLS, BATES, BUTLER, CORBE, DIBBLE, GANES, HANNISON, JONES, LUXFORD, PARENTS, PIPER, STANNARD, WEBB, and WEST.
      In the above list, we can count ten surnames of families which became related by marriage to the Gerard Spencer family. This seems a remarkable example of the intermarriages of pioneer families. If we were able to count the present-day descendants of these families, the list would surely be in the hundreds and more likely in the tens of thousands.
      Roland Tyler of Haddam recently has drawn up a most interesting diagram of the "home lots" in the town for many of the original proprietors in 1662 (published by Barbara Dunekacke, 1989). [P. 226 of the book includes an illustrated map entitled "Plantation of Thirty-Mile Island, Haddam, Conn."] The settlement was not known as Haddam until 1668. The buildings still standing are marked with a black rectangle, while a rectangle with and "X" denotes the supposed location of some of the earliest dwellings. The layout of the settlement is most interesting because of the long rectangular shape of each of the home lots with a "common highway" bisecting most lots more or less evenly down the middle of the lot.
      The map may be incomplete because there were 28 original proprietors, but only 18 settlers are shown on the diagram. Dunekacke notes there was another original settlement known as "The Lower Plantation" located about a mile and a half below the Haddam Court House which in the present day i s known as "Shailerville". Perhaps the ten missing proprietors on the "Thirty-Mile Island Plantation" were not located in the original Haddam settlement, but were situated at a short distance above or below the main group of settlers. This assumption may be supported if we note that the first "Meeting House" (no. 15 on the map) was located well below the primary home lots as if to accommodate some settlers who may have lived south of the main part of town.
      Barber has given us some details of the original purchase of the Haddam territory from the Indians in 1662. The deed comprehended all the lands from the Straits, six miles east and west from the river, down to the lower side of Chester Meadow; excepting Thirty Mile Island, and 40 acres at "Pattaquonk" (Chester), Twenty Mile Island, and on the adjacent shores eastward, running up to Salmon River cove.
      The pioneers settled generally on the rising ground, back from the town meadow, beginning at the eastern point of Walkley Hill, and so extending down to the grave yard, where some of their cellars are still visible.
      The Indians had a place of resort, in a deep hollow on Haddam neck, to the northeast, which is still known by the name of "Indian Hollow", as the brook running through it is known by the name of "Indian Brook The northern part of Haddam was "Higganompos" which the English have changed to "Higganum". The western part of the area they called "Cockaponset" which the English have changed to "Punset".
      Haddam was incorporated as a town in 1668. At that time it belonged to the county of Hartford, and so continued till the formation of Middlesex County in 1785 ... The town lies on both sides of the Connecticut River ... The part of the town lying on the east side of the River is called "Haddam Neck" This township is the commencement of the granitic district, extending to the mouth of the Connecticut River. It is considerably rough and broken, being hilly and stony.
      Eight years after the original settlement of Haddam in 1662, the Connecticut Census of 1670 listed only two Spencers, the names of "Gerrard" and "JOHN" (clearly Gerard's oldest son). Thomas Spencer", next oldest son, was 22 and later became known as "Thomas of Saybrook", but apparently he was still a resident of Haddam in 1673 when he married Elizabeth Bates (IGI).
      During his years at Haddam (1662-1685), Gerard1 was active both in military and civic affairs. He was listed as an Ensign in the Militia in 1672 and as an Ensign in Haddam's "trayne band" in King Philip's War. (Perhaps an honorary title since Gerard was in his sixties by that time).
      In the area of civic affairs, Gerard served as a deputy to the General Court in 1678, 1679, 1680, and 1683. Like his older brother William1 who had served several times as a Deputy to the General Court of Massachusetts, Gerard remained active in these public affairs almost to the end of his life in 1685. Gerard also had attained the status of "Freeman" in Connecticut just as he had done in Massachusetts in the early years of his life at Lynn.
      VII. The Will and Estate of Gerard1 Spencer.
      The "Early Probate Records of Connecticut" by Manwaring contain a full version of the wills of both Gerard1 Spencer and his oldest son John2 Spencer (1636-1682). The will of Gerard is shown here verbatim:
      "Spencer, Jarrad, Ensign, Haddam. Invt. 124 Pounds-12-00 of Estate not disposed of by Will. Taken 29 June, 1685, by Joseph Arnot & Alexander Rob. Will dated 17 September, 1683.
      The last Will of Ensign Jarrad Spencer of Haddam: I give unto my son William the Land which I bought of Steven Luxford's Estate. How I come by it the Court Record will show. I give unto my son William 1-3 part of 48 acres lying by that wch was commonly called Welles his Brook. I give to my son Nathaniel my now Dwelling house wth the Lott that was the houselott, with an Addition lying by the side of it, granted by the Committe. I give unto my daughter Rebeckah that Houselott I bought of Thomas Smith. Likewise I give unto my daughter Rebeckah 1-3 part of the Lott by Welles his Brook. I give unto my son Thomas 40 acres on Matchamodus Side. I give unto my son Timothy Spencer the remainder of that 6 score acre lott whereof his 2 brothers had their shares. The other 6 score thereof I dispose of as followeth: To Grace Spencer, the daughter of my son John Spencer, 40 acres; to Alice Brooks, the daughter of my daughter Brooks, 40 acres; to Grace Spencer, the daughter of my son Samuel Spencer, I give the other 40 acres. I give unto Jarred Cone, the son of my daughter Cone, my Carbine. A pewter Flagon and Urim Bason I give to the Church at Haddam, if there be one within five years. It is my Will that my son John Spencer his Chidren and my son-in-law Daniel Cone his children have an equal proportion of my Estate with my other children. It is my Will that however my Estate falls out for portions to my children, that my daughter Ruth Clarke's portion shall be 15 Pounds, which was my Covenant with her father at her marriage, which 15 Pounds she hath received some part thereof, as my Books will testify; & to my son Joseph Clarke I give him 40 acres of land at Matchemodus. It is the humble request of Jarrad Spencer that the honoured Major John Talcott arid Capt. John Allyn would be pleased to oversee this his Will. I appoint my two Sons Daniel Brainard and William Spencer Adms. to the Estate.
      Jarrad Spencer
      Witness: John James, Joseph Arnot.
      Court Record, Page 111-3, September, 1685: Adms. to Daniel Braynard and William Spencer, with the Will annexted."
      In addition to the primary document of Gerard's will, an Annex to the will was found by Peter B. Miller and published in 1983 in Le DeSpencer.
      "I give to my sonn Samuel two acres of swamp joyning to Daniel Cone on the other side to the Great River.
      I give to my sonn Thymothy two Acres of swamp joyning to Samuells.
      I give to my grandchild Gerrard Spencer ae acre joyning to Samuell and Thymothy.
      And what there is remaining of the swamps I give to my sonn Thomas Spencer.
      I give to my sonn Joseph Clarke forty acres of land at Matchimodus out of the first division and forty pounds right in the undivided land thoat (sic).
      Like all wills with so many beneficiaries, it is extremely difficult to visualize exactly "who got what". In order to make the terms more understandable, we have arranged a chart in two columns. In the left column is a list of the beneficiaries in the will while in the right column is a description of the legacy to each individual (including the terms in the Annex to the will).
      THE LEGATEES IN THE WILL OF GERARD1 SPENCER... [KP note: The author provides a lengthy list of the various children and grandchildren of Gerard and the specific legacies they received if any. I do not transcribe this chart since my interest in Gerard ends with his generation.]
      It is interesting that not all of the assets of Gerard1 Spencer were described in his Will or in the Annex, but those items left out eventually were surveyed by the two administrators in 1685. Joseph Arnott and Alexander Rollo compiled a long list of these omitted assets. The total value of a II such items was estimated at 124 pounds and 12 shillings, representing a considerable proportion of the estate. Those items representing tangible real estate or livestock are shown in the following list.
      1) 3 cowes.
      2) 4 acres of land in the home field, not the old barn.
      3) 4 acres of land in the home meadow.
      4) 7 acres of land in ye upper devision in the upper meadow.
      5) 4 acres of land in the lower devision in the upper meadow.
      6) 3 acres of land in the equal devision.
      7) 100 lot right of the undivided lands of Mathamootus.
      8) 220 lot right of land called the plane.
      9) 190 lot of undivided land on the west side of the great river.
      There is no indication of how the two appraisers decided on the disposition of these numerous assets among the beneficiaries (items undeclared in the original Will or in the Annex). From an overall viewpoint, however, it seems that Gerard appeared to have given considerable thought as to how his assets would be divided among his heirs. We must also reflect on the fact that Gerard Spencer came to New England probably with no assets whatsoever and during one lifetime was able to accumulate an estate of considerable value, especially as measured by the amount of land which he had acquired.
      In most of the wills of the 1600's, there seemed to be a highly unequal division of estates in favor of the sons compared with the allocations to the daughters. This may have reflected the general philosophy that the men were the breadwinners with primary responsibility for the welfare of their families. The daughters, on the other hand, were to be supported by their spouses and would have much less need for as large a share in the estate as their brothers. in Gerard's case, it seems that such a practice was not followed in toto. Gerard was even generous to some of his sons-in-law as direct benefactors without naming the spouses (Gerard's daughters) as the primary beneficiaries... [KP note: Author continues with more analysis of the children and what they received from Gerard's probate. I do not transcribe this information.]
      In viewing Gerard's life in retrospect, we see that he achieved a degree of affluence greater than that of any of his three brothers. William1 and Michael1 died as relatively young men in their forties, which was certainly not uncommon in the 1600's. William1 undoubtedly was the best educated of the four because he held numerous important administrative posts both in Cambridge and in Hartford. Thomas1 enjoyed a longevity comparable to Gerard's and in addition was an artisan (chairmaker) of the first rank. Thomas1 also had the good fortune to raise a sizeable family.
      As we have noted before, Gerard1 seemed to have a great skill as a land developer and farmer. Perhaps the greatest factor leading to his affluence was the presence of thirteen living children which provided him with an unexcelled labor pool. It was quite remarkable that so many of his children survived to adulthood when. it was a common experience in the general population for a large number to die in their infancy. We should not assume that Gerard was exploiting his children for it was a routine practice in that day and age for children (especially boys) of to, enter the labor force as apprentices. An extended education for children was yet scarcely dreamed of in New England despite the early establishment of such great institutions as Harvard University.
      References:
      Barber, John W. "History & Antiquities of Every Town in Connecticut With Geographical Descriptions". New Haven, 1830.
      Callahan, North. "Connecticut Revolutionary War Leaders". Pequot Press, 1973.
      Clark, Flora Spencer. "The Four Spencer Brothers in America". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., Jan. 1983.
      Collins, Christopher. "Connecticut in the Continental Congress". Pequot Press, 1973.
      Dunekacke, Barbara. "Plantation of Thirty-Mile Island, Conn. Explanatory". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Society, Vol. 13, 1989.
      Emmerton, James A & Henry F. Waters. "Gleanings From English Records About New England Families". The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass., Vol. 17, 1880.
      Ferris, Mary W. "Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines". A Memorial Vol. Containing the American Ancestry of Mary Beman (Gates)
      Dawes. Vol. 1. "Gates & Allied Families", 1931.
      Field, David D. "A History of the Towns of Haddam and East Haddam". Middletown, Loomis & Richards, 1814.
      Flansburg, Carol. "Excavation of the Homesite of Gen. Joseph Spencer". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., Vol. 15, May, 1991.
      Goodwin, Nathaniel. "Genealogical Notes". Gen. Publ. Co., Baltimore, 1982.
      Hills, W.S. & Thomas Hills. "Genealogical Data Relating to the Ancestry and Descendants of William Hills and Joseph Hills". Hills Family Gen. & Hist. Assoc., Boston, 1902.
      Jacobus, Donald Lines. "The Four Spencer Brothers, Their Ancestors and Descendants". The American Genealogist, Vol. 27-30, 1951-1954.
      Lancaster, Bruce. "The American Revolution". American Heritage Publ. Co., Inc., New York, 1958.
      Lewis, Alonzo & James R. Newhall. "History of Lynn, Including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1629-1864". Published by George C. Herbert, Lynn, 1899.
      Manwaring, Charles W. " Early Connecticut Probate Records". Vol.1, Hartford District, 1635-1700. H.S. Peck& Co., Hartford, 1904.
      Miller, Peter. "The Last Will & Testament of Estate of Gerrard Spencer (1614-1685) of Haddam, Connecticut". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc.. Vol. 6, Jan. 1983.
      Miller, Peter. "Ensign Garrard Spencer". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc. Vol. 9, Jan. 1986.
      Newhall, J.R. "History of Lynn, 1864-1890". Published at Lynn by George C. Herbert, 1890.
      Paige, Lucius R. "History of Cambridge, 16 30-1877, With a Genealogical Register". Cambridge, The Riverside Press, 1877.
      Parker, Francis. "History of East Haddam". 1925(?). Savage, James. "A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England". Four Vol., Gen. Publ. Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1990.
      Shaylor, Harrison (Brig. Gen.). "Marah Spencer, Wife of Thomas Shaylor". The Amer. Gen., Vol. 45, 1969.
      Spillman, Jane Shadel. "The Jared Spencer Flask". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., Vol. 16, Feb. 1992.
      Spencer, Hal P. "Some Descendants of Gerard Spencer". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., Vol. I, 1977.
      Spencer, Henry C.. "Spencer Homesite Now Part of Harvard Yard". Le DeSpencer, Jour. Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., August 1991.
      Spencer, Jack 1. & Edith W. Spencer. "The Five Spencer Siblings of Bedfordshire, the Role of the Braintree Company, and the Beginnings of Cambridge, Massachusetts". Le DeSpencer, Jour. Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., Vol. 17, 1993.
      Spencer, Jack T. & Edith W. Spencer. "Why and How Did the Spencer Siblings Come to America?". Le DeSpencer, Jour. of the Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., Vol. 18, 1994.
      Starr, Frank Farnsworth. "The Thomas Spencer Family of Hartford, Connecticut, in the Line of Samuel Spencer of Cornwall, Connecticut, 1744-1818". Middletown, Conn.
      Tritton, Diana. "The Thomas Spencer Family". Le DeSpencer, Jour. Spencer Hist. & Gen. Soc., Oct. 1989.
      Waters, Henry F. "Genealogical Gleanings in England". Two Vol., Gen. Publ. Co., Baltimore, 1981.
      Young, Alexander. "Chronicles of the First Planters of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay From 1623 to 1636". Corner House Publishers, Williamstown, Mass. 1978.
      "Original Distribution of the Lands in Hartford, Connecticut, Among the Settlers, 1639". Conn. Hist. Soc. Collections, Vol. XIV, 1912.
      "Court Records of Essex County, Massachusetts, 1648-1655".
      "Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849". The Essex Institute, Salem, 1916. Four Vol.
      "The Records of the Town of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1703". Cambridge, 1901.
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      Addendum
      Cunningham, J.P. & Elizabeth A Warner. "Portrait of a River Town; The History and Architecture of Haddam, Connecticut". The Greater Middletown Preservation Trust, 1984."