Hi gang, Jim Spence, thank you for posting on Issac ! I agree that we need to find these DAR files and see what comes up in them. Marilyn, you are in DAR, do you know about the possibility of getting copies of the others who applied under the Bluford line ???? I'm still charting, but it looks like Issac and Moses fit in here. Let's keep the discussion going ! Carolyn

THE FOLLOWING IS INFORMATION I TOOK FROM AN APPLICATION MADE BY SUSAN SPENCE WARD OF VIRGINIA TO THE DAR SOCIETY. I, SUSAN SPENCE WARD, BEING OF THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS AND UPWARD, HEREBY APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE SOCIETY BY RIGHT OF LINEAL DESCENT IN THE FOLLOWING LINE FROM JAMES SPENCE WHO WAS BORN IN AUGUSTA CO., VA. AFTER 1748 AND DIED IN AUGUSTA CO., VA. AFTER 1793. I AM THE DAUGHTER OF ( 1). CARLYLE MUMFORD WARD BORN ON 6/16/1897 AT WAYNESVILLE, GA., AND IS STILL LIVING., AND HIS WIFE MARY CATHERINE SPENCE WARD, BORN ON 12/3/98 AT CAMILLA, GA., WHO IS LIVING. THEY WERE MARRIED ON JUNE 4, 1927. (2) THE SAID MARY CATHERINE SPENCE WARD WAS THE CHILD OF JAMES WARNER SPENCE BORN ON 11/16/1870 (PLACE UNKNOWN) AND DIED AT CAMILLA, GA. ON 8/6/1899, AND HIS WIFE MARY CATHERINE CURRY, BORN ON 12/25/1876 IN BAKER CO., GA. DIED AT ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA ON 5/9/1939. THEY WERE MARRIED ON 10/31/1896. (3) THE SAID JAMES WARNER SPENCE WAS THE CHILD OF HYRAM WARNER SPENCE , BORN ON 12/30/1836 AT STEWART CO., GA., AND DIED AT CAMILLA, GA., ON 4/10/1901, AND HIS WIFE SUSAN JANE CLYATT, BORN ON 3/31/1845 AT STEWART CO., GA., DIED AT CAMILLA, GA. ON 6/8/1911. MARRIED ON 12/25/1858. (4) THE SAID HYRAM WARNER SPENCE WAS THE CHILD OF JAMES SPENCE BORN 1806 AT BURKE CO., GA., DIED AT STEWART CO., GA., ON 6/3/1846 AND HIS WIFE ELIZABETH HILLIARD, BORN IN 1812 AT PULASKI CO., GA., DIED AT STEWART CO., GA., MARRIED IN 1830. (5) THE SAID JAMES SPENCE WAS THE CHILD OF THORP SPENCE BORN IN 1774 AT AUGUSTA CO., VA., DIED AT BURKE CO., GA., IN 1828. HIS WIFE CHARITY SMITH BORN IN 1778 AT BURKE CO., GA., AND DIED IN 1810. MARRIED IN 1795. (6) THE SAID THORP SPENCE WAS THE CHILD OF JAMES SPENCE BORN IN 1748 AT AUGUSTA CO., VA., DIED AT AUGUSTA CO., VA., AFTER 1793 AND HIS WIFE JANE BLUFORD,. BORN IN 1751, (PLACE UNKNOWN) DIED AT AUGUSTA CO., VA AFTER 1795, MARRIED IN 1771. (7) THE SAID JAMES SPENCE WAS THE CHILD OF THOMAS SPENCE (BIRTHDATE UNKNOWN, DEATH DATE UNKNOWN) WIFE MARY GREEN (BIRTH DATE AND DEATH DATE UNKNOWN). (8) THE SAID THOMAS SPENCE WAS THE CHILD OF WILLIAM SPENCE (BIRTH AND DEATH DATE UNKNOWN), WIFE WAS MARY THORP (BIRTH AND DEATH DATE UNKNOWN). 9. THE SAID WILLIAM SPENCE WAS THE CHILD OF ROBERT SPENCE (BIRTH AND DEATH DATE UNKNOWN), WIFE MARY BLANK (BIRTH AND DEATH DATE UNKNOWN). REFERENCES FOR LINEAGE NATIONAL NUMBER FOR MOTHER #205662. OTHER CLOSE RELATIVES CREDITED WITH THIS ANCESTOR #143697 AND 201069. PUBLISHED AUTHORITIES BY TITLE, AUTHOR, EDITION, VOLUME, AND PAGE. VIRGINIA STATE LIBRARY REPORT, VOLUME 8, PAGE 412. ABSTRACTS OF AUGUSTA CO., VA., VOL 1, PAGES 388-404 FAMILY BIBLES AND TRADITIONS. MY REVOLUTIONARY ANCESTOR WAS MARRIED TO JANE BLUFORD AT AUGUSTA CO., VA., IN 1771 CHILDREN OF REVOLUTIONARY ANCESTOR WILLIAM SPENCE BORN 1772 MARRRIED MARY ANDERSON THORP SPENCE BORN 1774 MARRIED CHARITY SMITH JAMES SPENCE BORN 1776 MARRIED ? PALMER. I , SUSAN SPENCE WARD WAS BORN ON FEBRUARY 4, 1943 AT BRUNSWICK, GA. AND AM NOT MARRIED. COMMENTS FROM JIM SPENCE: I BELIEVE THAT ISAAC SPENCE WAS ANOTHER SON OF JAMES SPENCE AND JANE BLUFORD AND THAT POSSIBLY THEY HAD ANOTHER SON NAMED MOSES. IF ISAAC WAS BORN IN 1785, JANE BLUFORD WOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN 34 YEARS OLD AND WAS YOUNG ENOUGH TO STILL HAVE CHILDREN. THE NAME SIMILARITIES PASSED ON DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS IS JUST TOO STRONG TO NOT BE CONSIDERED. NOT ONLY WAS THE NAME BLUFORD HANDED DOWN FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS BU T ALSO GREEN (MARY) WHO WAS THE WIFE THOMAS SPENCE, THE NAME OF THORP(MARY) WIFE OF WILLIAM WAS ALSO PASSED DOWN SEVERAL GENERATIONS. ISAAC R. SPENCE, MY GRANDFATHER, NAMED ONE OF HIS DAUGHTERS CHARITY (MAYBE AFTER CHARITY SMITH, WIFE OF THORP SPENCE) ??. ISAAC NAMED A DAUGHTER ELIZABETH (MAYBE AFTER ELIZABETH HILLIARD WIFE OF JAMES SPENCE)??. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TRACK ISAAC DOWN IN VIRGINIA. HE SHOWS UP IN BURKE., CO, GA. AND THEN THOMAS CO., GA. WHERE HE SPENT THE REST OF HIS LIFE. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE RELATIVES STILL LIVING IN CAMILLA, GEORGIA, WHICH IS THE PLACE THAT HYRAM WARNER AND HIS WIFE JANE DIED. ALSO THORP AND CHARITY SMITH SPENCE LIVED IN BURKE CO., GA, WHICH IS WHERE ISAAC SHOWS TO HAVE BEEN ALSO. IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION THAT MIGHT PROVE THAT ISAAC SPENCE CAME FROM VIRGINIA TO BURKE CO., GA. IT MIGHT HELP TO TIE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER DOWN. I AM STILL WORKING ON IT. THE SUSAN SPENCE WARD APPLICATION TO THE DAR IS NOT DATED SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN SHE FILED IT OR WHERE SHE IS NOW. I THINK SHE MIGHT BE IN ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA. BUT I AM NOT SURE. ALSO DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE DAR WOULD LET SOMEONE HAVE COPIES OF THE OTHER NATIONAL NUMBERS THAT SUSAN SPENCE WARD LISTED ON HER APPLICATION. (295662, 143697, AND 201069.) THESE MIGHT SHOW WHO THESE RELATIVES OF HERS ARE AND THE INFORMATION THEY FILED TO GET MEMBERSHIP IN THE DAR. JIM SPENCE

Gang, i've been real busy lately. Tax time beginning you know. (ugh) I'm enjoying the messages. Ya'll keep it up and let me rest and listen in for a while. Luanne, I got your message. I'll post it in a couple of days. Thanks ! For those of you wanting more heraldry info Barbara's SPENCE list is full of it. It is all beyond me. I married a blue eyed Spence from Virginia is all I know. <g> Carolyn

THE NAME SPENCE/SPENS, ORIGINATES FROM THE OFFICE OF CUSTODIAN OF THE LARDER OR PROVISION-ROOM. IN THE CHARTULARY OF INCHAFFRAY THE DISPENSARIO APPEARS IN EACH CASE ALONG WITH THE RENNARUIS, G.V., TO WHOM HE WAS PERHAPS SUBORDINATE. FROM THE 13TH CENTURY DOWNWARDS SEVERAL PERSONS NAMED SPENSA, DISPENSA, ARE MENTIONED AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND IN 1529 WE HAVE ENTRY IN THE ROYAL ACCOUNTS OF LIVERY FOR "JOHN SPENS AT THE CUPBOARD". ROGER DISPENSATOR WITNESSED A CHARTER BY THE BISHOP OF MORAY GRANTING THE CHURCH OF DEVOTH TO SPYNY BETWEEN 1202-22, AND THOMAS DISPENSATOR WITNESSED EXCAMBIAN OF THE LANDS OF DOLAYS MYCHEL (DALLAS) IN 1232. JOHN SPENS WAS BAILIE OF IRVINE, 1260. BETWEEN 1296 AND 1324 THOMAS DE SPENSA WITNESSED A CHARTER BY JOHN OF JONYSTOUN IN FAVOR OF THE HOSPITAL OF SOLTRE. NICHOLAUS DE SPENSA FORFEITED LAND IN THE WILL AND TENEMENT OF LANGNODRYF (LANGNIDDRY) BETWEEN 1315-21. THE SHIP BELONGING TO LAURENCE DE SPENSE AND OTHER SCOTTISH MERCHANTS WAS WRECKED AT WHITBERNES NEW NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, 1365 AND THOMAS DE SPENSA AND LAURENCE DE SPENSE APPEARED AS WITNESSES IN PERTH, 1375. HENRY OF SPENS WITNESSED A CHARTER BY ROBERT, EARL OF FIFE, ABOUT 1390 AND FERGUS DE LA SPENSA HELD A TENEMENT IN EDINBURGH, 1392. WILLIAM DE SPENSA WAS ONE OF THE PREAMBULATORS OF THE MARCHES OF TARWAS AND ULDNY, 1417. PATRICK DE SPENS HELD LAND IN LAUDER, BERwICKSHIRE, 1428 AND JOHN DE SPENSA, BURGESS OF PERTH IN THE SAME YEAR HAD A GRANT OF LANDS IN THE EARLDOM OF MENTETH. JOHN DE SPENS OF PERTH WAS BAILIE OF GLENDOCHIRDE, 1428. JOHN SPENS WAS CUSTODIER OF STOCKET FOREST, 1448 AND ANOTHER JOHN DE SPENS WAS ADMITTED BURGESS OF ABERDEEN, 1444. THOMAS SPENS, BISHOP OF ABERDEEN IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY WAS, SAYS COSMO INNES, "SO MUCH MIXED UP WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS THAT TO GIVE THE DETAILS OF HIS LIFE WOULD BE TO WRITE THE ACCOUNT OF SCOTTISH POLITICS FOR THE TIME". THE NAME WAS EARLY CARRIED TO FRANCE AND APPEARS THERE AS D'ESPENCES (DE NATTANCOURT, DE BETTANCOURT, DE VROIL, ETC.). THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THE FAMILY SPENS IS DESCENDED FROM DUNCAN, FOURTH EARL OF FIFE AS SOME CONTEND. DESPENS 1446, SPENS 1681. (1) THE SPENCE AND SPENS FAMILIES ARE SAID TO BE OF THE CLAN MCDUFF, DESCENDED FROM THE ANCIENT EARLS OF FIFE WHOSE DOMAIN WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE FIRTHS OF THE TAY AND FIRTH ON THE EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. (2) DR BLACK, IN THE ABOVE REFERENCE TAKES ISSUE WITH THIS. IN SCOTS HERALDRY, INNES, PAGE 69, APPEARS A PICTURE OF A CARVED WOODEN PANEL, ABOUT 1473, SHOWING THE ARMS OF THOMAS SPENS, BISHOP OF ABERDEEN (FROM PROC. SOC. OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND, 1XIV.337). TRADITION SAYS THE FIRST EARL OR THANE OF FIFE WAS THE MACDUFF WHO RESTORED MALCOLM CANMORE TO THE THRONE OF SCOTLAND IN 1057, AFTER VANQUISHING THE USURPER MACBETH. THIS EPISODE WAS IMMORTALIZED BY SHAKESPEARE IN HIS GREAT TRAGEDY "MACBETH". SINCE TIME BEYOND MEMORY THE MACDUFFS HAVE ENJOYED SPECIAL HEREDITARY PRIVILEGES KNOWN AS THE "LAW CLAN MACDUFF", INCLUDING THE RIGHT OF THE CLAN'S CHIEF TO CROWN THE KING OF SCOTS. (1) THE EARLIEST RECORD OF THE NAME SPENS OCCURS ON THE ROLL OF SCOTTISH NOBILITY AND FORCED TO SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO EDWARD I OF ENGLAND IN 1296: ON THE LIST APPEARS THE NAMES OF HENRY DE SPENS AND NICOL DE SPENS, BELIEVED TO BE BROTHERS. HENRY DE SPENS HELD THE LANDS OF LATHALLAN IN FIFESHIRE DURING THE REIGN OF ALEXANDER III (1249-1286). FOR ALMOST 500 YEARS THIS ESTATE WAS HOME OF THE SENIOR BRANCH OF THE FAMILY, UNTIL SOLD IN 1758. (3) AN IRISH BRANCH OF THE FAMILY WAS ESTABLISHED ABOUT 1650 BY ALEXANDER SPENS, A MERCHANT OF EDINBURGH. (3) ON 24 JULY 1617, DAVID SPENS, NAMED A SERVITOR TO HUGH, LORD OF LOUDON, WITNESSED SALE OF LAND , REGISTERED 30 APRIL 1618. (4) DAVID SPEANCE(?) TO RECEIVE PORTION OF 40, POUNDS ... TO BE DIVIDED AS LORD LOUDON SHALL SEE FIT. (4) 23 DECEMBER 1624. ACTION AT THE INSTANCE OF A HEW CAMPBELL IN DARMALLOCHE, CESNOK, AGAINST ANNA KER, WIDOW OF SAID GEORGE CAMPBELL, FOR NON PAYMENT OF THE SUMS DUE TO THEM BY BONDS, INCLUDING 3000 MERKS TO JOHN SPENCE, BURGESS OF EDINBURGH. (4) WILLIAM SPENCE WAS OWNER OF THE SHIP "VALENTINE OF LONDON", (160 TONS) , SAILED TO ST. MICHAELS AND TARCEROS IN THE AZORES 26 FEBRUARY 1633. (5) ---------------------------------- (1) THE SURNAMES OF SCOTLAND, THEIR ORIGINS, MEANING AND HISTORY, BY GEO. F. BLACK, PHD.,NY, THE NY PUBLIC LIBRARY. (2) THE CLANS, SEPTS AND REGIMENTS OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, PAGE 557, ADAM AND INNES OF LEARNY. (3) SPENCE, REG WILLIS, HERALDIC ARTIST, COMPLETE SOURCE UNKNOWN. (4) THE CLAN CAMPBELL, ABSTRACTS OF ENTRIES RELATING TO CAMPBELLS IN THE EARLY UNPRINTED RECORDS RELATING TO AYRSHIRE 1515-1650, VOL. V, REV. HENRY PATON, 1917, PAGE 36, 175, 216. (5) NEW WORLD EMIGRANTS, VOL 1, TEPPER, 1979, PAGE 82.

FROM BURKE'S GENERAL ARMORY OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, IRELAND AND WALES, 1884 BURKE, IS THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF THE COATS OF ARMS FOR THE FAMILY OF SPENCE/SPENS OF SCOTLAND. "SPENCE OF BERRYHOLL, CO. FIFE". ARGENT (OR SILVER OR WHITE) A BOAR'S HEAD ERASED SABLE (OR BLACK) BETWEEN TO BARS GULES (OR RED). CREST --- A WOLF'S HEAD COUPED PROPER. MOTTO --- POTIAR UT POTIAR. "SPENCE OF BRUNSTANE, CO. ABERDEEN". ARGENT (OR SILVER OR WHITE). A LION RAMPANT GULES (OR RED) DEBRUISED BY A BAND SABLE (OR BLACK) CHARGED WITH THREE ESCALLOPS OF THE FIRST. CREST --- A CLAM SHELL GOLD OR YELLOW. MOTTO --- SIMPER FIDELIS ESTO. "SPENCE OF WORMESTON, CO. FIFE". GOLD OR YELLOW A LION RAMPANT GULES (OR RED) OVER ALL ON A BEND SABLE (OR BLACK) A BUCKLE BETWEEN TWO MASCLES ARGENT (OR SILVER OR WHITE). CREST --- A DEMI LION RAMPANT GULES (OR RED). ANOTHER CREST --- A STAG'S HEAD COUPED PROPER. "SPENS OF LATHALLAN, CO. FIFE". IN 16TH CENTURY --- GYRONNY OR EIGHT ARGENT (OR SILVER OR WHITE) AND AZURE (OR BLUE) ON AN INESCHUCHEON OF THE FIRST AND EAGLE'S HEAD ERASED SABLE (OR BLACK) WITHIN A BORDURE GULES (OR RED). AS RECORDED 1767 --- GOLD OR YELLOW, A LION RAMPANT GULES (OR RED) SURMOUNTED OF A BEND SABLE (OR BLACK) CHARGED WITH THREE LOZENGES ARGENT (OR WHITE OR SILVER): 2ND AND 3RD, GYRONNY OF EIGHT GOLD OR YELLOW AND SABLE (BLACK), FOR CAMPBELL OF GLENDOUGLAS. CREST --- A HART'S HEAD ERASED PROPER. MOTTO --- SI DEUS, QUIS CONTRA? (IF GOD IS WITH US, WHO IS AGAINST US?) "SPENS OF EDINBURGH", 1672, SECOND SON OF LATHALLAN. GOLD OR YELLOW, CHARGED WITH A BUCKLE BETWEEN TWO MASCLES ARGENT (OR SILVER OR WHITE). CREST --- TWO HANDS ISSUING OUT OF A CLOUD LETTING DOWN AN ANCHOR IN THE SEA ALL PROPER. MOTTO --- VISA PER INVISA FORMA. "SPENS OF EDINBURGH", 1672, CADET OF LATHALLAN. YELLOW OR GOLD, A LION RAMPANT GULES (OR RED) SURMOUNTED BY A BAND INDENTED SABLE (OR BLACK) CHARGED WITH A BUCKLE BETWEEN TO MASCLES ARGENT (OR SILVER OR WHITE). CREST --- THREE BRANCHES OF PALM SLIPPED GREEN, BANDED TOGETHER GOLD OR YELLOW. MOTTO --- FELIX QUI PACIFUS.

SINCE I AM NEW TO THE GROUP I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH INFORMATION EVERYBODY HAS. I WOULD GUESS THAT WE ALL HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME INFORMATION. I HAVE A DESCRIPTION OF THE SPENCE COAT OF ARMS AND SOME DATA ON SPENCE ORIGINS IN SCOTLAND. I WILL BE HAPPY TO POST IT IF SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT. LET ME KNOW. JIM SPENCE

WILLIAM SPENCE s in WAR of 1812 William Spence - Col. Ferguson's, Illinois Militia William Spence - Flying Camp (McDowell's) Virginia Militia William Spence - 1 Regiment (Mill's) Ohio Militia William Spence - 2 Regiment (Cockes) W. Tenn. Militia William Spence - 4 Regiment (Boyd's) Virginia Militia William Spence - 4 Regiment Virginia Militia William Spence - 35 Regiment (Brown's) Maryland Militia William Spence - 3 Artillery & Light Inf Reg't New York For your Information ....... Jim James F. Carver 610 Gay Street, Box 214 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-0214 e-mail: heritage@zoomnet.net

"JAMES SPENCE' s in WAR of 1812 James Spence - Austin's Regiment S.C. Militia James Spence - Nash's Regiment S.C. Vol. James Spence - Youngblood's Regiment S.C. Militia James Spence - 1 Regiment (Miller's) Maryland Militia James Spence - 49 Regiment (Veazey's) Maryland Militia For your Information....... Jim James F. Carver 610 Gay Street, Box 214 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-0214 e-mail: heritage@zoomnet.net

Page 299.--21st May, 1760:William Spence, Orphan, bound to Sampson Matthews. Who is this William? Gloria Taosbg@aol.com

Gang, Here are census entries for Alleghany Co. NC 1860: 386 Brackens, Samuel 42 farmer Nancy 42 Rebecca 16 William 14 Franklin 15 Elizabeth 2 Spence, Peter 60 laborer *************************************************************** 1870 Census #35 Spence, Henry 35 farmer Hannah 27 #161 Carson, Andrew 35 farmer Emma 25 Alexander 4 Mace 2 Spence, Jane 18 Domestic servant That's all. Not much to go on ! Carolyn

Gang, I've had this lying on my desk for over a month and want to post it and get rid of it. old news to some, new news to others. I did research on the tax lists of old Grayson County and found this; 1817 listed as polls: Isom, Joseph, Hale, and Burwell Joseph and Hale did not own a horse ! This means that they had not saved enough money to buy one, their father did not give them one, and they were above 16 years old and still living in the county. 1824: Joseph still had no horse ! John didn't either ! 1828: Joseph STILL didn't have a horse. John DOES have a horse ! 1835: Joseph and John are MISSING. Everyone else is still there. They have gone to Tazewell between 1828 and when they show up in the Tazewell census in1830. Since John had a horse, I wonder if he let Joseph ride in his wagon ? Carolyn

Cousins, I have had something in the back of my mind that I want to pass on. Concerning anyone that says their ancestor was born in SC, I don't remember the date but there was much controversy over the actual boundary of the state line between NC and SC. It is a gray area, where some honestly believed they were in one state or the other, when in truth they were placed in the other state by the state line. Even today, there are places that refuse to abide by the division. Also the mention of Irish Spence's caused me to remember a book that I saw once. the only Spence in it was a 100% Irishman in SC who founded a large line of Spences. the book was by David ? and was entitled as close as I can remember "Irish Settlers of America" and there were 2 volumes. this book is for sale from the genealogical publishing companies. It is advertised in the Genealogical Helper and it wasn't too long ago that I saw it advertised. i found it in my library and saw Spence in the index and read the chapter. Seems like the man's name was Samuel Spence. The reason I was reading it was for a chapter it had on Burke's Garden of Tazewell Co. VA. Also Isaac Spence of GA has the state of SC surrounding him sometimes when he is mentioned. The Maryland line had 3 sons who moved to the coastal area of NC, which at that time still included SC, I think. I believe that there were some descendants of that line who migrated south into SC. Isaac runs heavy in that line. From my experience when you are at a brickwall, start learning about the neighbors and the community as a whole. There is a common denominator somewhere. Too many times I have been stuck on a man who just wandered in from out of nowhere. I study where his neighbors and friends came from and everytime, I have found his surname along with his neighbors ,back in the other location. In early, early tax lists, which predate a census, most young men didn't even own a horse. ( They were expensive.) So, I don't think they walked all alone 200 miles. I like to think he hitchhiked a ride in somebody's wagon. Especially back before 1760. They migrated in groups...... I've often thought also that the naming of the county could be a clue. Why do so many counties have the same bloomin' name ? You have Burke Co. NC and Burke Co. NC. There is Tazewell VA and Tazewell here and there. I noticed that there was a large migration from Rowan Co. NC to Roane Co. TN. Just a thought ! Carolyn

Cousins, Thanks so much for all the info on Issac of GA. I'm charting it as fast as I can. Thanks also to John for checking around in the old records. Thanks also to Jim for the interesting piece of evidence that Thomas Spence did indeed exist in 1758 as a Colonial Soldier. I agree, if Thomas was a Spence, he liked French Broads. Isn't it funny sometimes how you stumble across something pertinent when you are researching another line ? It happens all the time. I say the ancestor feels slighted so he pops up in another line, just to get your attention back on him or her. I promise to work on the Surry NC Spence families as soon as I can. Meanwhile I was cleaning out some old papers in my Spence box the other day and found a letter dated 1983 from a lady that I once corresponded with. This family was in Fleming Co. KY, which is next door to Bath Co. KY, where Norman and several others are stuck. I'm sure Norman has already checked out this line, because he has been searching for so long, but in case it provides a tiny clue, I'll put it in our archives anyway. This is from another lady's research back in 1983. Joseph Spence born ca. 1765-1775 died 12/1852 in Lewis Co. KY m. Mary Lydia ? probably in Fleming Co. KY. Mary Lydia was from PA born 1779- and married Joseph in 1800. their children were: Thomas Spence b. abt. 1802 died 3/11/1831 in Lewis co KY Catherine b. abt. 1800 m. Patrick May Joseph b. 1802 m. Eliza Corns 1829 John b. 1805 m. Nancy Kincaid William F. b. 1811 m. Cynthia Ann Bryant died in Marshall Co IOWA in 1864 Andrew M. b. 1813 m. Elizabeth ? Margaret b. 1815 m. Robert Shiver Nancy b. 1816 m. George Bryant died 1877 Samuel b. 1818 m. Malinda ? died 1886 Marshall Co. IOWA James b. 1818 m. Malvise or Mary ? died 1896 Marshall Co. IOWA Mary b. 1819 m. William Bryant Jane b. 1820 m. Richard Bryant died 1893 Marshall Co. IOWA She has notes that Joseph first went to Fleming Co. KY then relocated to Lewis Co. KY. She has a double dose through both Nancy and William, who married children of Daniel Bryant and Nancy Plummer Bryant. She also says that Joseph the first probably came from Maryland, but we all think that don't we, because the Maryland line is the most well known line of Spences. Barbara Beal said once that the Spence's who came down the back side of the mountains were of the New York line, and looking at the present day location of Fleming and Bath counties of KY, I'm inclined to agree. However, she also links the West Virginia Spences to the same New York line, and we have since found that, that is NOT always the case. Those on the east side of the Alleghany Mountain range came from VA and NC. Those on the east side very early, surely came down the Ohio Valley. If anyone sees a connection in the above lineage, I can give you the Lady's address. However she would be 65 now, and she may have moved as this address is 16 years old. Carolyn

Have you all seen this page <A HREF="http://www.localaccess.com/rubym/Spence.htm">Spence Page</A> ??????It is very informative.

Hi Folks, Carolyn made it public several days ago that I was "sidetracked" from the Spence Line doing other researching on other bloodlines of mine, which is very true. I normally keep active researching several lines at one time...this way my limited spare time is fully occupied. While digging around in Augusta Co., VA. on my lines of LUSK and a new line I've just started to research...STEPHENSON....I uncovered some interesting data .......such as: THOMAS SPENCE - COLONIAL SOLDIER AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA Thomas Spence was serving as a Colonial Soldier under Captain Ephraim Love in 1758. ( Thomas Spence was the father of James Spence 1740-1793 of Augusta Co.,VA.) Thought this might be of interest to some of you out there. There was no indication if he was a "ensign" (military rank) or not. Thomas also served under the command of : William Craven - Sgt. Adam Stephenson - Corp. Thomas McCorne - Corp. since he was listed among the "masses" of recruits it appears he was simply member of the unit, or a "private"...just a common grunt. No mention if Thomas liked French Broads or not...but he was a man...most likely he did. Jim James F. Carver 610 Gay Street, Box 214 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-0214 e-mail: heritage@zoomnet.net

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ISAAC SPENCE OF THE SPENCE COMMUNITY IN THOMAS COUNTY GEORGIA. I HAVE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN DOCUMENT. STATE OF GEORGIA --- THOMAS COUNTY IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. I, ISAAC SPENCE OF THE COUNTY AND STATE AFORESAID BEING OF ADVANCED AGE AND KNOWING THAT I MUST SHORTLY DEPART FROM THIS WORLD, DEEM IT RIGHT AND PROPER, BOTH AS RESPECT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY THAT I SHOULD MAKE A DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY WITH WHICH A KIND PROVIDENCE HAS BLESSED ME. I THEREFORE MAKE THIS MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, HEREBY REVOKING AND ANNULING ALL OTHERS HERETOFORE MADE BY ME. ITEM 1ST. I DESIRE AND DIRECT THAT MY BODY BE BURIED IN A DECENT AND CHRISTIAN LIKE MANNER SUITABLE TO MY CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONDITIONS. MY SOUL I TRUST SHALL RETURN TO REST WITH GOD WHO GAVE IT AS I HOPE FOR ETERNAL SALVATION THROUGH THE BLESSED LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST WHOSE RELIGION I HAVE PROFESSED AND AS I HUMBLE TRUST ENJOYED FOR FORTY YEARS. ITEM 2ND. I GIVE AND DEVISE TO MY GRANDAUGHTERS NAMELY ELVY AND LARINDIA CONER, HEIRS OF MY DAUGHTER MARY CONER, ONE COW AND CALF APIECE AND ONE FEATHER BED AND IT'S FURNITURE APIECE. ITEM 3RD. I GIVE AND DEVISE TO MY SON THARPE SPENCE TWO COWS AND CALVES. ITEM 4TH I GIVE AND DEVISE TO MY BELOVED WIFE HANNAH THE REMAINDER OF MY PROPERTY WHATEVER IT MAY BE: CONSIST OF LOT OF LAND ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT IN THE 17TH DISTRICT OF SAID COUNTY AND MY CATTLE, HOGS, HORSE OR MULE AS I MAY OWN AT MY DEATH AND ALL MY PLANTATION TOOLS AND ALL OTHER TOOLS OF ALL DESCRIPTION WHATEVER IT MAY BE. ALSO ALL MY HOUSEHOLD AND KITCHEN FURNITURE AND ALL MY DEBTS THAT IS OWING TO ME, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE CASH THAT I MAY HAVE AT MY DEATH AND ALL THE REST OF MY PROPERTY WHATEVER IT MAY CONSIST OF IN ANY WAY TO BELONG TO MY BELOVED WIFE HANNAH AS NAMED IN SAID ITEM. TO BE FOR HER USE AND BENEFIT HER LIFETIME TO USE AND DISPOSE OF IT IN ANY WAY TO LIVE ON FOR SUPPORT AND AT HER DEATH WHAT IS LEFT I DIRECT AND ADVISE FOR IT TO BE SOLD AND DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN MY SON THARPE AND MY TWO GRANDAUGHTERS NAMELY AS IN ITEM SECOND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE HALF ACRE OF LAND AT THE GRAVEYARD WHICH I RESERVE FOR A GRAVEYARD. ITEM 5TH I CONSTITUTE AND APPOINT MY BELOVED FRIEND JOHN J. RAGAN EXECUTOR TO THIS MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT THIS AUGUST THE TWENTY FIFTH DAY EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY NINE. HIS ISAAC (C.) SPENCE MARK SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED AND PUBLISHED BY ISAAC SPENCE AS HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT IN THE PRESENCE OF US THE SUBSCRIBERS WHO SUBSCRIBED OUR NAMES HEREUNTO IN THIS PRESENTS OF SAID TESTATOR AND EACH OTHER THIS AUGUST TWENTY FIFTH EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY NINE (1869). E. R. WILLI OF THOMAS CO. JOHN J. RAGAN OF THOMAS CO. J. BRINSON OF THOMAS CO. J. C. HENDERSON OF WAYNE CO. ITEM 2

The following came from a book in the Cairo, Georgia library, titled The Gleanings. There is no date as to when the article was written SPENCE FAMILY BY MRS HORACE SPENCE ALTHOUGH IT IS KNOWN THAT ISAAC SPENCE (1785-1856), ONE OF THE AREA'S EARLIEST SETTLERS, CAME FROM SOUTH CAROLINA AND SETTLED AS A FARMER NEAR THE PRESENT GRADY COUNTY'S PLEASANT GROVE CHURCH, THE EXACT YEAR IS UNKNOWN. IT PROBABLY WAS SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO 1824, THE BIRTHDATE OF THE FIRST OF HIS FIRST CHILDREN. ISAAC SPENCE MARRIED HANNA TAYLOR, WHO WAS REPUTED TO BE THE NIECE OF PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR. ISAAC AND HIS WIFE WERE BURIED ON A COPSE (THICKET) OF TREES ON HIS FARM WEST OF SPENCE BRIDGE ON THE MITCHELL=GRADY COUNTY LINE. THIS PIONEER FAMILY GAVE THE COMMUNITY THEIR NAME. THARPE SPENCE (1827-1905), SECOND SON OF ISAAC AND HANNA, MARRIED REBECCA WYNN (1829-1908). THEIR CHILDREN BORN IN THOMAS COUNTY WERE : AMERICA, GREEN, KILBY, BLUFORD, ASBURY, ISAAC, MISSOURI, AND CHARLIE. THARPE GAVE THE LAND FOR MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH AND HIS WIFE REBECCA NAMED IT. THEY AND THEIR CHILDREN WERE ALL CHARTER MEMBERS. THARPE AND REBECCA LIE BURIED IN ITS CEMETERY. MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATED ITS CENTENNIAL IN 1982. GREEN SPENCE (1851-1946), THE FIRST SON OF THARPE AND REBECCA WAS A PROSPEROUS FARMER LIVING HIS ENTIRE LIFE IN THE SPENCE COMMUNITY. DURING HIS EARLY MARRIED LIFE HIS FIRST DWELLING WAS A LOG HOUSE. GREEN LATER BUILT A LARGE WOOD-FRAME HOUSE HAVING AN OPEN HALLWAY WITH AN ARCHED CEILING. THIS ALMOST 100 YEAR OLD, VIRGIN PINE HOUSE, HAVING BEEN KEPT IN GOOD REPAIR HAS BEEN OCCUPIED CONTINOUSLY TO DATE. THE OLD DINNER BELL STILL HANGS IN THE YARD. AMONG THE CROPS GROWN WAS SUGAR CANE, FROM WHICH A LARGE SUPPLY OF SYRUP WAS MADE. GREEN RAISED HOGS AND CATTLE AND USED OXEN FOR PLOWING DURING HIS EARLY FARMING. GREEN SPENCE'S MARRIAGE TO CATHERINE BRINSON PRODUCED FIVE CHILDREN. WILL, NORA, WARNER, COLUMBUS AND ELLA. FIVE CHILDREN WERE ALSO BORN TO GREEN AND HIS SECOND WIFE, MATTIE BRADY. BETHEULA, BESSIE, RUSSELL, CHARLOTTE AND A STILLBORN TWIN BROTHER. GREEN'S THIRD WIFE HENRIETTA MCKOWN (1872-1966)PRESENTED HIM WITH FIVE CHILDREN. JOHN EASTER, WHO MARRIED MARY LIZZIE CREECH, HATTIE LOU, WHO MARRIED ALLEN BARFIELD, BLUFORD, WHO MARRIED ODESSA LAIRSEY, CURTIS, WHO MARRIED JOYCE WILLIS, AND HORACE, WHO MARRIED OPHIE LEE BARFIELD. HORACE SPENCE (BORN APRIL 16, 1912), YOUNGEST CHILD OF GREEN SPENCE, FARMS THE OLD HOMEPLACE ALONG WITH HIS SON WAYNE. HORACE AND HIS WIFE OPHIE HAVE THREE CHILDREN. JANICE LAURELL, WHO MARRIED WILLIAM THOMAS MAJORS, HORACE WAYNE WHO MARRIED JANICE PALMER AND CARLOS YVONNE WHO MARRIED EDWIN EDWIN SEALY, JR. THE GRANDCHIILDREN OF HORACE AND OPHIE SPENCE ARE WILLIAM SPENCE MAJORS, LORI ANN SPENCE, MARK EDWIN SEALY, JAMES TIMOTHY SEALY AND LISA DIANE SEALY. COMMENTS: THERE ARE SOME DISCREPANCIES IN THE FACTS IN THIS ARTICLE WHEN COMPARED TO THE OTHER INFORMATION I HAVE. FIRST, SHE SAYS THAT ISAAC DIED IN 1856. THERE ARE SWORN STATEMENTS AND DATES THAT SHOW THAT ISAAC DIED IN 1871. SECOND, SHE DOES NOT MENTION THAT ISAAC HAD A FIRST WIFE WHO MOST LIKELY WAS THE MOTHER OF ALL OF THE CHILDREN AND NOT HANNAH. THE DIFFERENCE IN THE AGES OF ISAAC AND HANNAH WAS GREAT. SHE ALSO SAYS THAT ISAAC CAME FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK FINDING ISAAC IN SOUTH CAROLINA BUT IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE. I THINK HE CAME FROM VIRGINIA BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVE THIS EITHER. A SIDE COMMENT: GREEN SURE WAS A FERTILE MAN. 15 CHILDREN HE SIRED. TOOK THREE WIVES TO DO IT.

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I FORGOT TO MENTION IN MY LAST E-MAIL THAT BLUFORD SPENCE, SON OF ISAAC, 1837-1863, WAS KILLED IN THE CIVIL WAR. ISAAC R. SPENCE FIRST SHOWS UP IN THE 1850 CENSUS LIVING IN THOMAS COUNTY GEORGIA. HE SHOWS TO BE THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE. IS 26 YEARS OLD (WHICH MEANS HE WAS BORN IN EITHER 1824 OR 1825). HIS WIFE IS WINNEY?(SP). ( HER MAIDEN NAME IS NOT LISTED BUT I FOUND OUT IT IS LEWIS). SON JOHN IS 5 YEARS OLD, DAUGHTER GEORGIA IS 3 YEARS OLD AND ELIZABETH IS 1 YEAR OLD. A RICHARD LEWIS WHO IS 16 YEARS OLD IS ALSO LIVING IN THIS HOUSEHOLD. ( I BELIEVE THIS IS PROBABLY A BROTHER TO WINNIE LEWIS SPENCE). 1860 CENSUS - TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS. I. R. SPENCE , HEAD OF HOUSE, IS 35 YEARS OLD , WIFE MARY IS 23 YEARS OLD. (THE CENSUS DOES NOT SHOW IT BUT MARY'S MAIDEN NAME WAS MARY LEVENS, OR LEVINS.) GEORGIANN 12, WILLIAM (?) YEARS OLD, MARY C. 3 YEARS OLD AND 2 OTHER MALES WHOSE NAMES AND AGES ARE NOT LEGIBLE. 1870 CENSUS FROM TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS. ISAAC R. DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE CENSUS ROLL. MARY IS SHOWN AS A WIDOW SHO EVIDENTLY ISAAC HAD ALREADY DIED. FROM THE AGES OF ISAAC R. SPENCE SHOWN IN THE CENSUS RECORDS HE WAS BORN IN EITHER 1824 OR 1825. FROM OTHER DATA I HAVE HE IS SHOWN TO HAVE DIED ON 28 SEPTEMBER 1871. HOWEVER, IF HE DIED IN 1871 WHY WAS HE NOT ON THE 1870 CENSUS ROLL? i HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CLARIFY THIS. HE WAS BURIED IN TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS AND I HAVE NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMIN JUST WHERE. NONE OF THE OLD CEMETERY RECORDS IN TRINITY COUNTY HAVE HIM LISTED. MAYBE HE WAS BURIED BEHIND THE BARN OUT ON THE FARM. MARY LEVENS SPENCE WAS BORN ON 25 DECEMBER 1836 AND DIED IN 1905. SHE IS BURIED IN THE HAYES SPRINGS CEMETERY AT GRAPELAND, HOUSTON COUNTY, TEXAS. THIS IS THE SPENCE AND A FEW OTHER FAMILIES CEMETERY. MY GRANDFATHER WILLIAM WASHINGTON SPENCE AND OTHER UNCLES, AUNTS, COUSINS, ETC. ARE BURIED. 1870 CENSUS - TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS MARY SPENCE, WIDOW,. IS HEAD OF THE HOUSE. IS 45 YEARS OLD. BORN IN TEXAS (ACCORDING TO THIS CENSUS, BUT I REALLY DOUBT THIS) AMY IS 17 YEARS OLD, CANDACE 13, WESLIE?10, CHARITIE 4, ALEXANDER 2 YEARS. (I REMEMBER UNCLE ALEX, WE CALLED HIM, WHEN I WAS A SMALL BOY.) 1880 CENSUS HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS MARY SPENCE. IS A WIDOW. IS HEAD OF THE HOUSE. 45 YEARS OLD. BORN IN TEXAS (AGAIN I BELIEVE THIS IS WRONG). CANDIS AGE 22, IS A WIDOW. (I HAVE NO IDEA WHO HER DECEASED HUSBAND WAS) MOLLIE 16, ALEXANDER 12 AND BILL (MY GRANDFATHER) IS 9 YEARS OLD. (ONE OF MY AUNTS TOLD ME THAT MY GRANDFATHER WILLIAM WASHINGTON (BILL) SPENCE WAS BORN ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER ISAAC R. SPENCE DIED). 1890 CENSUS WAS DESTROYED BY A FIRE IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AT WASHINGTON D. C. ISAAC R. SPENCE'S FAMILY GROUP: BITHA? ANN SPENCE, BORN 18 JUNE 1843 IN THE SPENCE COMMUNITY, THOMAS COUNTY GA. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. JOHN ASHLEY SPENCE, BORN IN 1845, SPENCE COMMUNITY, THOMAS COUNTY GA. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. GEORGIANN SPENCE, BORN 27 FEBRUARY 1847, SPENCE COMMUNITY, THOMAS COUNTY GEORGIA. DATE A PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. ELIZABETH SPENCE, BORN 7 FEBRUARY 1848, SPENCE COMMUNITY, THOMAS COUNTY GA. PLACE AD DATE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. JAMES SPENCE, BORN 15 DECEMBER 1851, SPENCE COMMUNITY THOMAS COUNTY GA. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. AMY SPENCE, BORN 13 NOVEMBER 1852, SPENCE COMMUNITY, THOMAS COUNTY GA. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. MARCIA SPENCE, BORN 25 MARCH 1854, PROBABLY IN GEORGIA BUT UNKNOWN. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. RICHARD SPENCE, BORN 29 SEPTEMBER 1855. AGAIN PROBABLY IN GEORGIA. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. MARY SPENCE, BORN 28 JULY 1857, PROBABLY IN GEORGIA. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. WESLEY SPENCE, BORN 2 FEBRUARY 1860, PROBABLY IN TEXAS. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. STEPHEN A. SPENCE, BORN 11 JULY 1862. IN TEXAS, PLACE AND DATE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. MOLLIE SPENCE, BORN 22 NOVEMBER 1864, IN TEXAS. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. CHARITY SPENCE BORN 24 MARCH 1866, IN TEXAS. PLACE AND DATE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. . ALEXANDER SPENCE, BORN 15 FEBRUARY 1868 IN TEXAS. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. WILLIAM WASHINGTON SPENCE (MY GRANDFATHER) BORN 15 OCTOBER 1871 IN TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS. DIED 29 JANUARY 1948 ON HIS FARM WEST OF GRAPELAND, HOUSTON COUNTY, TEXAS. BURIED IN THE HAYES SPRINGS CEMETERY, HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS. WIFE:(MY GRANDMOTHER) MARTHA LOUISE MOBLEY SPENCE. THEY WERE MARRIED 12 AUGUST 1892 IN GRAPELAND, HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS. SHE IS ALSO BURIED IN THE HAYES SPRINGS CEMETERY. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION A BIBLE THAT MY GRANDFATHER, WILLIAM WASHINGTON SPENCE HAD. HE GAVE IT TO MY FATHER WHEN HE DIED AND MY FATHER GAVE IT TO ME. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS TAKEN FROM THIS BIBLE. THE BIBLE WAS PUBLISHED IN 1846. THE SECOND LEAF IN THIS BIBLE READS: FROM REV. THOS. C. STANLEY TO LEWIS A MIDDLETON, PANAMA APRIL 3 1851. THE FIRST LEAF IN THIS BIBLE READS: I. R. SPENCE THIS BOOK BROUGHT FROM GALVESTON, WHERE IT BECAME MINE IN THE FORTUNES OF WAR ON JANUARY 1ST A. D. 1863. ( THE CIVIL WAR BATTLE OF GALVESTON BAY WAS FOUGHT IN THIS TIME PERIOD AND THE MILITARY RECORDS SHOW THAT ISSAC R. WAS IN THE SERVICE AT THIS TIME PERIOD. I DON'T KNOW IF LEWIS A MIDDLETON WAS A FRIEND OR AN YANKEE SOLDIER.) THIS BIBLE ALSO CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING BIRTH RECORD OF ISSAC R. SPENCE'S CHILDREN BITHA? ANN, BORN 18 JUNE 1843 JOHN ASHLEY, BORN 1845 GEORGIANN, BORN 27 FEB. 1847 ELIZABETH, BORN 7 FEB. 1848 JAMES, BORN 15 DECEMBER 1851 MARCIA, BORN 25 MARCH 1854 RICHARD, BORN 29 SEPTEMBER 1855 AMY, BORN 13 NOVEMBER 1852 MARY, BORN 28 JULY 1857 WESLEYBORN 2 FEBRUARY 1860 STEPHEN A., BORN 11 JULY 1862. MOLLY, BORN 22 NOVEMBER 1864 CHARITY, BORN 24 MARCH 1866 ALEXANDER, BORN 15 FEBRUARY 1868 WILLIAM WASHINGTON, BORN 15 OCTOBER 1871. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE FILES OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IN WASHINGTON, D. C. IT PERTAINS TO AN APPLICATION THAT MARY SPENCE WIDOW OF ISAAC R. SPENCE, MADE FOR A PENSIONCLAIM ON ISAAC R. SPENCE'S ,IL;ITARY SERVICE IN THE SEMINOLE INDIAN WARS IN FLORIDA IN 1840-1841. THE APPLICATION WAS DATED 14 SEPTEMBER 1892, IN HOUSTON COUNTY, TEXAS. IT STATES THAT MARY SPENCE IS 62 YEARS OLD AND A RESIDENT OF HOUISTON COUNTY TEXAS. SHE IS THE WIDOW OF ISAAC R. SPENCE, WHO ENLISTED AT THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA ON THE 1ST DAY OF MARCH 1841 AS A PRIVATE IN CAPT. REDDENS COMPANY AND THAT HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE AT OCILLA RIVER, FLORIDA. ON 1 APRIL 1841. OTHER PENSION PAPERS IN THE PENSION FILE CONTAIN DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW HE ENLISTED IN A CAPT. TOWNSENDS COMPANY AS A PRIVATE ON 8 FEBRUARY 1840 AND WAS MUSTERED OUT ON 16 NOVEMBER 1840. HE WAS PAID FOR HIS TIME IN THE SERVICE PLUS ONE DAY'S PAY FOR TRAVEL TIME BACK HOME. IT ALSO SHOWS HIS TIME IN CAPT. REDDING'S TO HAVE BEEN FROM 9 DECEMBER 1840 TO 13 MARCH 1841 AND THAT HE WAS MUSTERED OUT AT CHASE'S FERRY, EAST FLORIDA. MARY'S APPLICATION STATES THAT SHE AND ISAAC WERE MARRIED ATR BLAKELY, ALABAMA ON 15 JULY 1848 BY A JUDGE BURNS, WHO WAS A PROBATE COURT JUDGE AND THAT HER MAIDEN NAME WAS MARY LEVENS. SHE FURTHER STATES THAT ISAAC R. SPENCE WAS MARRIED PREVIOUSLY TO WINNIE LEWIS WHO DIED IN 1847 IN EAST FLORIDA. THAT ISAAC SPENCE DIED IN TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS ON 28 SEPTEMBER 1872.. AT THE AGE OF 62. (THIS 1872 DEATH DATE CONTRADICTS THE TIME OF DEATH OF ISSAC R. IF MY GRANDFATHER WAS NOT BORN UNTIL AFTER ISAAC'S DEATH. MY GRANDFATHER WAS BORN 15 OCTOBER ACCORDING TO ALL PUBLISHED RECORDS.) MARY STATES SINCE HIS DISCHARGE FROM SERVICE THEY HAD LIVED IN EAST FLORIDA FOR 1 YEAR, VAN ZANDT COUNTY TEXAS FOR 1 YEAR, TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS, FOR 12 YEARS AND IN HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS FOR 13 YEARS. STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT REMARRIED SINCE THE DEATH OF ISAAC AND THAT SHE WAS BORN ON 25 DECEMBER 1830. ( SHE DID NOT STATE WHERE SHE WAS BORN). SHE SIGNED HER NAME WITH AN X. AND IT WAS WITNESSED. EVIDENTLY SHE COULD NOT READ OR WRITE. THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCREPANCIES IN THE STATEMENTS THAT MARY GAVE ON THE APPLICATION FOR PENSION. THERE ARE DIFFERENT DATES ON WHEN ISAAC ENLISTED AND WHEN HE WAS MUSTERED OU AND WHERE HE WAS MUSTERED OUT. IT APPEARS FROM THE RECORDS FROM THE ARCHIVES IN WASHINGTON, THAT HE MAY HAVE ENLISTED TWICE AND WAS MUSTERED OUT AT TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. SHE STATES THAT SHE AN ISAAC WERE MARRIED IN ALABAMA BUT THE LATER CENSUS STATE THAT SHE WAS BORN IN TEXAS. I BELIEVE THAT THE CENSUS RECORD IS WRONG. SHE STATES THAT ISAAC'S FIRST WIFE, WINNIE LEWIS, DIED IN EAST FLORIDA IN 1847 BUT THE 1850 CENSUS FROM THOMAS COUNTY GEORGIA, SHOWS ISAAC'S WIFE TO BE WINNEY AND SHE IS 26 YEARS OLD. SHE STATS THAT ISAAC DIED ON 28 SEPTEMBER 1872 AT THE AGE OF 62. HOWEVER, CENSUS RECORDS ON ISAAC SHOWS HIM TO HAVE BEEN BORN IN EITHER 1824 OR 1825, SO IF HE DIED IN 1872 HE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN 62 YEARS OLD. MARY STATES THAT SHE WAS BORN ON 25 DECEMBER 1830 BUT HER HEADSTON AT THE CEMETERY GIVES HER DATE OF BIRTH AS 1836. WE MUST REMEMBERE THAT ACCORDING TO THE DATE I FOUND, MARY PROBABLY COULD NOT READ OR WRITE AND THAT THE PENSION APPLICATION SHE MADE OUT WAS IN 1892 WHICH WAS SOME 20 YEARS AFTER ISAAC HAD DIED. SHE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMEMVBER THE EXACT DATES AND THE PERSON HELPING HER MAKE OUT THE APPLICATION JUST MADE AN APPROXIMATION OF THE DATES AND AGES. FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS TAKEN FROM RECORDS OF CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS AT THE DALLAS, TEXAS LIBRARY. ISAAC R. SPENCE----COMPANY MUSTER ROLL FOR 1 NOVEMBER 1862 TO 2 FEBRUARY 1863. HE ENLISTED 4 JULY 1862 AT HOUSTON, TEXAS. SWORN IN BY CAPTAIN STAFFORD. HE IS FROM TRINITY COUNTY, TEXAS. ONE MUSTER ROLL SHOWS HE DESERTED FROM CAMP LUBBOCK WHICH WA NEAR HOUSTON, WHILE UNDER MARCHING ORDERS FOR LOUISIANA. THIS MUSTER ROLL DATED 27 OCTOBER 1863. DATE OF DESERTION 7 MAY 1863. HOWEVER, IN ANOTHER FILE IT SHOWS A REGISTER FROM THE GENERAL HOSPITAL HIN HOUSTON, TEXAS THATT PVT. ISAAC R. SPENCE WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL ON 5 MAY 1863 WITH RUBEOLA. ANOTHER FILE SHOWS HIM IN THE SAME HOSPITAL 27 SEPTEMBER 1862 TO 1 OCTOBER 1862 WITH ICTERUS (JAUNDICE). HE WAS A PRIVATE IN CAPTAIN HUGHES COMPANY, TEXAS LIGHT ARTILLERY, ALSO KNOWN AS CAPTAIN WILSON AND CAPTAIN GONZALES COMPANY. NO DATE WAS GIVEN FOR HIS DISCHARGE. I BELIEVE THAT HE WAS IN THE BATTLE OF GALVESTON BAY WHICH TOOK PLACE ON 1 JANUARY 1863 BECAUSE OF THE BIBLE HE BROUGHT BACK HOME WITH HIM THAT SAYS IT CAME TO HIM DUE TO THE FORTUNES OF WAR ON JANUARY 1, 1863.

I started researching my Spence ancestry as well as my Murdock, Skidmore and Mobley lines in early 1990, shortly after I retired. I have searched in the Dallas, Texas library, the Dallas branch of the LDS church library, Federal and State archives, thru relatives, and a trip to Thomasville County Georgia and out to the old home place of Isaac Spence in what is now Grady County Georgia, was Thomas County when he lived there. There is a community there called the Spence Community, which was named after Isaac, as he was one of the first settlers in that part of Georgia. I discovered a Bluford Spence living there. He is of the same generation as my father. There is also a large cemetery next to a church which is full of Spence's. This cemetery plot was donated by one of the Spence's as well as the church site. There is a building there with the Spence name on the portal and has been restored. Bluford told me that this building is where they had court and other city functions back in the old days. Bluford and I and his wife kept in touch and Bluford died this past year. He took me to where the old home place site was and to where he said Isaac was buried which was in a wooded area close to the old home place. There were no headstones but Bluford assured me this was the spot. This property is now owned by another family and some of there relatives are buried there. There are also a bunch of Spence relatives living in and around Camilla, Ga. but I did not have time to go visit them I have touched base with them by mail a few time since my trip down there. The information I have gathered on Isaac Spence, his children, etc. is as follows: ISAAC SPENCE WAS BORN ABOUT 1785. i HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PIN DOWN HIS BIRTHPLACE BUT BELIEVE IT WAS EITHER IN VIRGINIA OR GEORGIA. HE APPEARS TO HAVE LIVED THE EARLY PART OF HIS LIFE IN GEORGIA. ACCORDING TO PENSION AFFIDAVITS HE DIED ON 7 APRIL 1871. HIS WIFE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH WAS HANNAH TAYLOR SPENCE. SHE WAS BORN ABOUT 1820 AMD WAS LIVING 19 MARCH 1880 IN DECATUR COUNTY GEORGIA. HER MAILING POST OFFICE WAS AT CAMILLA, MITCHELL COUNTY GEORGIA. I HAVE HEARD SOME RUMORS THAT SHE WAS RELATED TO A GENERAL TAYLOR WHO SERVED IN THE WAR OF 1812. THE 1850 CENSUS SHOWS ISAAC TO BE 65 YEARS OLD AND HANNAH TO BE 30. CHILDREN LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD WERE JACKSON, 23 YEARS OLD, OLIVE, 19 YEARS OLD, AND BLUFORD WHO IS 13 YEARS OLD. IT APPEARS THAT HANNAH IS ISAAC'S SECOND WIFE AS SHE IS TOO YOUNG TO HAVE BEEN THE MOTHER OF MY ANCESTOR ISAAC R. SPENCE, WHO WAS BORN ABOUT 1825, OR THE MOTHER OF JACKSON, OLIVE AND POSSIBLY BLUFORD WHO ARE LISTED ON THE 1850 CENSUS. i HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE NAME OF ISAAC'S FIRST WIFE AND THE MOTHER OF HIS CHILDREN. RECORDS SHOW THAT ISAAC MARRIED HANNAH ON 4 APRIL 1839 WHICH LENDS CREDENCE THAT SHE IS NOT THE MOTHER OF ANY OF THE CHILDREN LISTED ON THE 1850 CENSUS/. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THERE WERE OTHER CHILDREN BY ISAAC'S FIRST WIFE. IF THERE WERE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THEM. INFORMATION TAKEN BY ME FROM HANNAH'S APPLICATION FOR WIDOW'S PENSION FOR ISAAC'S MILITARY SERVICE STATES THAT ISAAC LIVED ON THE SAME FARM IN THOMAS COUNTY GEORGIA FROM ABOUT 1837 UNTIL HE DIED 0N 7 APRIL 1871. THEY WERE MARRIED BY JOHN JONES, J.P., THOMAS COUNTY, GEORGIA, 4 APRIL 1839. A COPY OF THE MARRIAGE RECORD ATTESTED TO BY JOS. S. MERRILL, CLEK OF THE ORDINARY OFFICE DATED 19 NOVEMBER 1879, PROVES THIS MARRIAGE DID OCCUR. THIS STATEMENT IS A PART OF THE RECORDS OBTAINED IN THE PENSION APPLICATION HANNAH MADE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE APPLICATION STATES THAT ISAAC SERVED IN THE WAR OF 1812 AS A PRIVATE IN CAPTAIN R. GAMBLES COMPANY, GEOERGIA MILITIA, FROM 26 MARCH 1814 TO 12 SEPTEMBER 1814 AND ANOTHER SHORT PERIOD AFTER THAT. TOTAL SERVICE TIME WAS 171 DAYS. HE WAS STATIONED ON THE SEACOAST TO DEFEND THE COAST AGAINST THE BRITISH NAVY. HE WAS NOT IN ANY BATTLES WITH THE ENEMY. HIS DISCHARGE WAS LOST BY LEAVING IT WITH HIS CAPTAIN WHJO RETURNED FROM POINT PETER BY SAVANNAH TO DRAW THE PAY. HE SHOWS TO HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AT POINT PETER. ON THE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND LOYALTY STATEMENT: THE CLAIMANT GIVES CORRECT EVIDENCE OF HER HUSBAND WHEN HE APPLIED FOR WARRANT. IT STATES HE ENLISTED IN EMANUEL COUNTY GEORGIA. sOLDIER SAYS HE VOLUNTERRED IN BURKE COUNTY (BURKE AND EMANUEL ARE ADJOINING COUNTIES). CLAIMANT SAYS HE WAS DISCHARGED AT POINT PETER. SOLDIER STATES THE SAME. AFFIDAVIT BY EDMON DAVIS AND MOSES C. SMITH. PENSION GRANTED 2 FEBRUARY 1880 FOR $8.00 PER MONTH FROM 9 MARCH 1878. BOUNTY LAND CLAIM WARRANT 9409-80-55 ISSUED SOMETIME BEFORE. SOLDIERS STATEMENT ABOVE TAKEN FROM THIS WARRANT BY H. M. HALL, BOUNTY LAND RESEARCHER. EXAMINED BY J. N. GRANGER AND APPROVED BY R. E. REDWAY, REVIEWER. SWORN STATEMENT BY LAYAYETTE GAUNT AND MALCOLM WILKS, STATES THAT SOLDIER DIED 7 APRIL 1870 AT A VERY ADVANCED AGE. (NOTE: THIS DEATH DATE DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH THE DEATH DATE OF 1871 IN OTHER MATERIAL I HAVE). IT APPEARS THAT ISAAC SPENCE WAS AWARDED TWO BOUNTY LAND WARRANTS AS I HAVE OBTAINED PAPERS FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES WHICH SHOW TWO DIFFERENT DATES AND DIFFERENT WARRANT NUMBERS. MOST OF THESE WARRANTS WERE FOR LAND OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND IN A LOT OF THE CASES THE SOLDIERS SOLD THESE WARRANTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE CASE OF THE TWO WARRANTS AWARDED TO ISAAC SPENCE. 1820 CENSUS - ISAAC SPENCE - EMANUEL COUNTY GEORGIA 1830 CENSUS - ISAAC SPENCE - THOMAS COUNTY GEORGIA 1840 CENSUS - " " " " " `1850 CENSUS - " " " " " 1860 CENSUS - " " " " " (87? YEARS OLD) ISAAC'S CHILDREN THARPE S. SPENCE, BORN FEB. 1818 BURKE CO., GA., DIED 21 MARCH 1905, SPENCE COMMUNITY, THOMAS CO., GA. WILLIAM SPENCE, BORN 1820, PLACE UNKNOWN, DIED 28 FEB. 1885, HAWKINSVILLE, HOUSTON CO., GA. MARIAN SPENCE, BORN 1824, THOMAS CO. GA. PLACE AND YEAR OF DEATH UNKNOWN. ISAAC R. SPENCE, BORN ABOUT 1825-6, PLACE UNKNOWN, DIED 28 SEPTEMBER 1871 IN TRINITY COUNTY TEXAS. EMMALINE SPENCE, BIRTH DATE UNKNOWN BUT SHOWS TO HAVE BEEN IN THOMAS CO., GA. ELIZABETH SPENCE, BIRTH DATE UNKNOWN BUT SHOWS TO HAVE BEEN IN THOMAS CO., GA. MARY SPENCE, BIRTH PLACE UNKNOWN, DIED BEFORE 1860 IN GADSDEN, FLORIDA. JACKSON SPENCE BORN IN 1827 IN THOMAS CO., GA. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. (JACKSON MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE SPENCE BROTHER WHO CAME TO TEXAS WITH ISAAC R. AS I KNOW THERE WERE SOME JACK SPENCE'S LIVING IN HOUSTON CO., TEXAS. ) OLIVE SPENCE, BORN IN 1836 IN THOMAS CO., GA., DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH UNKNOWN. BLUFORD SPENCE, BORN 1837 THOMAS CO., GA. DIED 30 MARCH 1863 IN RICHMOND, HENRICO COUNTY, VIRGINIA. ( MY FINGERS ARE TIRED. WILL SEND MORE LATER ) JIM SPENCE