James W. Spencer (1827-1901)/Undated letter to son
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Real Estate, Abstract and Loan Office of J. W. Spencer & Son
Care, Mich.
L. A. Spencer, Esq.
Dear Son:
Your card received asking for History of the Spencer family. I will write you what i have heard from older ones of the family, via my Father and Grandfather. Tradition has it that the Spencers in America are the descendants of Lord Spencer of England, some of whose heirs in an early day of the American Colonies, left England by reason of religious persecution and settled in Rhode Island.
There were three brothers who emigrated and the one from whom my father's family came, married a red headed Welch woman who raised seventeen sons and daughters. Some of these sons names I have heard by grandfather and his sons mention, but they appear to have scattered all over the American Colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. Two or three became adherents of the Crown (or Loyalists) in that war and settled in Canada. Some were Quakers, I do not know the earliest religious beliefs, but I remember to have seen one family who were Quakers, and our folks claimed relationship and in my boyhood visited. I have heard my grandfather mention Platt Spencer who went to Ohio. He became the head of the tribe who became noted for their penmanship. Another settled in Central New York occupied the same position to those in that region. Joshua A Spencer and Charles were hung by the U. S. Navy for mutiny or something of that sort, being of that family.
I have also seen relatives who lived at Saratoga, N.Y., North Adams, Mass., and different localities in Connecticut. Also heard some mentioned who lived in Pennsylvania and Western New York. My grandfathers name was Enoch, his fathers name was Theofilus. I remember seeing one of my grandfathers brothers, his name was Michael, and a sister whose name was Zilpha. I saw one who visited him by the name of George but I do not know his relationship.
Tradition has it that the most of those families who are sandy complexion, came by or are descendants of the red headed Welch woman who was so prolific in raising Spencer boys. My father could use to give a very interesting Genealogy but I endeavored to get it from him when I was out there and had to give it up as he is too deaf, and not hearing it talked over in so many years, very much has been forgotten by me. Nearly all who I have over talked wth appear to have similar traditions in relation to their early ancestry.
Yours,
J. W. Spencer
Undated letter from James W. Spencer (Wright) to son'
- Transcript provided by Dr. H. Noel Krenkel, Berkley California, 27 Aug 1999
- Letter was written on company stationary
