Re: John Willis Spencer married Nancy Alexander had 2 sons
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In reply to:
Re: John Willis Spencer married Nancy Alexander had 2 sons
Deb Elsasser 7/12/05
The following is all the information I have on individual.I believe I had the name John Willis but changed to James because the census records said James.I am inclined to think this is the same person.What do you think?David
[Believe the name should be James Willis Spencer, not John Willis Spencer, as of three census records give name as James. DHL]
He lived to be an old man and died at Unionville, Indiana.He was something of a historian and probably left some interesting notes concerning his kinsmen.I strongly suspect that it was he that made such a mess of our Patriarch's military record.In his younger days he was in partnership with his uncle, John Lander, and they traded in hogs, mules and Negroes.Later in life he repented, became an ardent follower of Alexander Campbell, dissolved partnership with his Uncle John, moved to Indiana and became a rabid abolitionist.I never heard that he freed any of his slaves! [000:I/p41]
[GN/000:IIp3,4,38]
"...sketch of the long ago written by J.W. Spencer..."
[No title]
For a long time I have contemplated writing up the history of the present "Current Reformation" and also the remaindscences of Bourbon County, Kentucky and Missouri and also the origin of the Spencer and Lander families.Grandfather Charles Lander and wife (who was a Foreman) were both born on the South branch of the Potomac, Virginia.Their immediate ancestors came from Wales north of England about 150 years ago.As before stated-Grandfather Charles Lander, according to a record made his old Bible, which is now before me was born in 1754.The Bible I have before me was purchased in 1803 and is now 77 years old. [The Bible his mother bought at her father's estate sale?]
He entered the Revolutionary Army in April 1775 in his 21st year at Bunkers hill, and was wounded at that battle never leaving the Army until discharged at Yorktown, on the 17th day of October 1781.
He has often told me when the British began to concentrate their forces at Lexington, he was in the field plowing, when a herald passed, he took his horse instanter to the house-took down his gun and went to the army without a further preparation for clothing than what he had on.He often said the shoes he had on his feet and hat on his head, were all he ever had, during his 7 years of toil, they wore out, no more to be had.He was one who crossed the Delaware on the ice barefooted, and bare headed.
Grandmother, whose maiden name was Catherine Forman died in 1824; just what year she was born the record does not show.
Charles Lander survived her about 9 years, dying in 1833 with the cholera.He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than 40 years previous to his death; he was an active member,-leading in prayer and son,-his house was a home for Preachers.
He was married in the latter part of 1781, son after "returning" from the war;-they left 7 children 3 sons and 4 daughters, born in the following order:-Mary (Foreman) in 1782, Elizabeth (Spencer) in 1784, Rebeca (Taylor) 1786, Henry 1788, Margaret (Talbott) 1791, John 1793, and William 1796.They are all dead and passed to their reward.
-It seems from some notes that I have, that Charles Lander imigrated to Kentucky as early as 1788 settling near "Sweeney Town" now called North Middleton.The writer well remembers when the change of the name took place.Sweeney doubtless built the first house in Middleton about the year 1790, Charles Lander often said he was at the raising-James Neal hawned? the logs.
In searching history for a foundation of the Lander family, we find him in the person of Sir. John Lander of Fountain Hall, England, he lived in the time of King James the 2nd over 200 years ago;-he must have been a man of some significances for we find him to have been one of the Senators of the College of Justice.-
We will now closing by referring to some of the early settlers and incidents of Bourbon County and especially in and around North Middleton and Caneridge; some 60 or 65 years ago for we can recollect that long ago being now 75 years old (in 1880)--
As before stated, the first house built in North Middletown was built by Sweeney; we think "old Billy Adair" built the second, (he afterwards joined the Shakers) for a Hotel, the next was built by William Foreman, it was a brick he was a tanner & currier- Next house was erected by Nathan G. Darnall was the first capinet maker-Peyton Eldridge wagon maker, also, wheat fans-the first blacksmiths were Elias Paxton and a man by the name of Hedrick, there were in partnerships.-
Lader Barber, of Revolutionary fame, ran a horse mill that did not grind more than 30 bu in 24 hours; often men would have to stay as long as two days and two nights before their turn came it went by the team not by the sack.But two horse mills in Bourbon County as late as 1819 and both slow grinders.About 1820 or 21 Robert Owen erected a horse mill, run by an inclined wheel.There were at that day but 4 water mills-
Snyders-Willses, Walkers & Barnetts.The streams all failed as early as June then came the "tug of war" for meal.The second man to sell goods in North Middletown was Thos. T. Dobyns.Our instruments of agriculture were rude in the extreme, we then had the baeshear plows, beam & handles 10 or 11 ft. long, our shovels equally rude iron with no steel on it.See what wonderful changes-
J.W. Spencer (Six handwritten pages by J.W. Spencer, n.d. This paper found in Mrs. W.H. Whitley's papers & shared by Bill Bryan with Alice F. Hills 11 August 1993.)
1850 United States Federal Census [Census Place: Benton, Monroe County, Indiana, Roll M432_161, Page 286]
James W. Spencer, Male, 46, Birthyear Cal 1804, b KY, Farmer, Real Estate $1,400
Nancy Spencer, Female, 37 , b KY
Elizabeth Spencer, Female, 14, b KY
Sarah Spencer, Female, 12, b KY
John L. Spencer, Male, 10, b IN, Attends School
James K. Spencer, Male, 6, b IN, Attends School
Alexander Spencer, Male, 4, b IN, Attends School
William B. Spencer, Male, 2, b IN
Benj Franklin, Male, 16, b IN, Laborer
Hannah Cox, Female, 16, b IN
1860 United States Federal Census [Census Place: Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana, Roll M653_282, Page 736]
James W. Spencer, Male, 56, Birthyear Cal 1803, b KY, Farmer, Real Estate $13,000/Personal $3,300
Nancy W. Spencer, Female, 48, Birthyear Cal 1811, b KY
John L. Spencer, Male, 20, Birthyear Cal 1839, b IN, Laborer, Attends School
James W. Spencer, Male, 16, Birthyear Cal 1843, b IN, Laborer, Attends School
Alxander[sic] C. Spencer, Male, 13, Birthyear Cal 1846, b IN, Attends School
Wm B. Spencer, Male, 11, Birthyear Cal 1848, b IN, Attends School
Charles F. Spencer, Male, 7, Birthyear Cal 1852, b IN, Attends School
Elizabeth Renshaw, Female, 25, Birthyear Cal 1834, b IN
Mary B. Renshaw, Female, 1, Birthyear Cal 1858, b IN
1880 United States Census Household Record [Census Place: Unionville, Monroe County, Indiana, Family History Library Film 1254299, NA Film Number T9-0299, Page Number 107C]
W. James Spencer, Self, Married, Male, White, 75, Birthyear Cal 1805, b KY, Occupation: Farmer, Father's Birthplace: VA, Mother's Birthplace: VA
Nancy Spencer, Wife, Married, Female, White, 67, Birthyear Cal 1813, b KY, Occupation: Keeping House, Father's Birthplace: KY, Mother's Birthplace: VA
L. John Spencer, Son, Single, Male, White, 38, Birthyear Cal 1842, b IN, Occupation: Larm Labor
P. James Spencer, Son, Divorced, Male, White, 36, Birthyear Cal 1844, b IN, Occupation: Physician Not Able For Duty
Alexander Spencer, Son, Single, Male, White, 32, Birthyear Cal 1848, b IN, Occupation: Physician
B. William Spencer, Son, Divorced, Male, White, 29, Birthyear Cal 1851, b IN, Occupation: Carpenter
More Replies:
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Re: John Willis Spencer married Nancy Alexander had 2 sons
Victoria Klehn 12/26/11
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Re: John Willis Spencer married Nancy Alexander had 2 sons
Deb Elsasser 7/12/05
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Re: John Willis Spencer married Nancy Alexander had 2 sons
David Lander 7/14/05
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Re: John Willis Spencer married Nancy Alexander had 2 sons
David Lander 7/14/05
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Re: John Willis Spencer married Nancy Alexander had 2 sons