"Some account of the ancient family of Spicers taken from an original manuscript extracted from a chronological description of the county of Devon written by Tristram Risden, gent., of Winscott Devon A. D., 1714 (page 650, appendex II)."
"Three brothers of this name (Spicer) who were of an honorable family in Normandy came over as gentleman volunteers with William the Conqueror. The first settled in Devonshire, the second in Warwickshire, the third in Kent; the two former still remain in the said country. Of the state of which family an abstract is here given from an original MSS., written in the thirty-sixth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign (1594), which gives an account of them from their first being officers and magistrates of the honorable city of Exeter, beginning with the first year of Edward I. and continuing down in the same family to the seventh Queen Anne which to the present year, 1714, is Four Hundred and forty-one years, of which time there have been twelve Mayors of the city of Exeter of this name, and the particular time of each as hereafter mentioned. T'is observable that few families can show such a precedence of the office of Mayor of so ancient and honorable city, continuing for so long a course of years, their estate being also equivalent to their antiquity — they having also bestowed a considerable one on the Chamber of Exeter to uphold its grandeur. Their arms are here represented: 'Partie per pale, Mars at Saturn; in bende, three turrets of the soune cotyzed and a border grayley ermyb.' Motto: 'Fortessimus qui se.'" Abstract of a manuscript of 1594 as given by Tristram Risden, 1714: "In the reign of King Edward III. John Spicer by sundry times Mayor of the city of Exeter and in the third year of his Mayoralty, being the thirty-first of the said year of the King's reign anno, 1357, he received private letters from the king and also a commission under the great seal of England dated the 25th of March and directed thus: To our loving the Mayor of our honorable city of Exeter, for three ships to be provided and sent unto him and to be well and thoroughally appointed, to the ears and for the defense of the realm against the French King, who had then a great fleet and navy on the seas of men of war, which thing the Mayor with all celerity performed and in the year following he also being Mayor, the Prince called the Black Prince came from out of France and brought him prisoner. 'King John of France' whom he had taken a little while before at Poicturs. He landed at Plymouth and came to this city, whom the Mayor received and the king his prisoner with all the honor he could and entertained him most bountifully and after the best manner he might, which the Prince did not only thankfully receive, but he made also his father acquainted with the same, who sendest back his commendation unto the said Mayor." "The family of Spicer in the times of Edward I., II. and III. were officers and magistrates and were then considered for their many and gentlemanly like qualities and virtues, for in those days such men, for their wisdom and not their wealth, were magistrates and governors of the city and in all places of trust."
Mayors of the city of Exeter of the name of Spicer:
- John Spicer in the first year of King Edward I., 1273.
- John Spicer in the twenty-sixth year of King Edward III., 1352.
- John Spicer in the twenty-seventh year of King Edward III., 1353.
- John Spicer in the thirtieth year of King Edward III., 1356.
- John Spicer in the thirty-second year of King Edward III., 1358.
- John Spicer in the thirty-third year of King Edward III., 1359.
- Nicholas Spicer in the thirty-fourth year of Queen Elizabeth, 1592.
- Thomas Spicer in the thirty-fifth year of Queen Elizabeth, 1593.
- Nicholas Spicer in the forty-fifth year of Queen Elizabeth, 1603.
- Nicholas Spicer in the fifth year of King Charles I., 1629.
- Nicholas Spicer in the twentieth year of King Charles I., 1644.
- Edward Spicer in the seventh year of Queen Anne, 1708.
William Spicer, born in 1688, will dated 1762, was a master in chancery, died unmarried. His sister was his heir-at-law, but he left large fortunes to the two grandsons of his brother Edward, of whom William Spicer, of Wear House in the county of Devon, sometime member of parliament for the city of Exeter and high sheriff for the county in 1764, was baptized in 1733, died 1788. He married Elizabeth, second daughter of and co-heir of Francis Parker, of Blagden, uncle of the first Lord Boringden, ancestor of the present Earl of Morley. Elizabeth Spicer, who married James Bruce, of Kennaird, in 1798, was their third daughter, born in 1783, died in 1876, aged ninety-three years. They had one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who succeeded her father in 1810. She had one daughter, Elizabeth Mary, Countess of Elgin and Kencardine, who died June 7, 1843.
(I) The New England ancestor of the Spicers came to Connecticut, after having first made settlement in Virginia. He settled in Connecticut, in the town of Groton, in the part now known as Ledyard. He was a landholder there in 1688. He married, in Warwick, December 15, 1670, Mary Bassaker or, as the records have, Mary Busecot, daughter of Peter and Mary (Geer) Busecot. Peter Busecot was a blacksmith and could make better nails and make them quicker than any smith in the colony. He was rather high-spirited in his youth, without much regard of those in authority, but after the settlement of Warwick, Rhode Island, he seems to have settled down and was at one time town sergeant. In 1693 he was granted land for his services to the colony and the town of Warwick. Peter Spicer served with the militia of Connecticut, in the Pequot war, and received a grant of land at Voluntown for his services. He had sons: Edward, Samuel, Peter, William, Jabesh; daughters: Abigail, Ruth, Hannah, Jane, Mary and Sarah.
(II) Edward, eldest son of Peter and Mary (Bassaker or Busecot) Spicer, was living in 1731, and is thought to have died in 1732-33. He is mentioned frequently in the records of Groton as surveyor of highways, viewer of fences, juryman and committeeman on school lands. In 1718 it was decided that "Edward Spicer shall take care of the youth on the Lord's day." In 1719 he deeded all his lands to his son, only reserving a living for himself and wife. He married Katherine Stone, his cousin, daughter of Hugh and Abigail (Busecot) Stone. Children:
- Katherine, born October 6, 1696;
- John, see forward;
- Mary, May 8, 1701;
- Anne, May 28, 1703;
- Jerusha, August 2, 1706;
- Abigail, April 8, 1708;
- Jemima, April 14, 1710.
(III) John, only son of Edward and Katherine (Stone) Spicer, was born January 1, 1698, died August 28, 1753. He is mentioned in the Groton records as selectman, lister and surveyor of highways. His will is recorded in Stonington. He married Mary Geer, born May 14, 1701, daughter of Robert and Martha (Tyler) Geer. Children:
- Edward, born April 4, 1721, died about 1742; was twice married.
- John, see forward.
- Oliver, born May 28, 1726; married, August 5, 1749, Althea Allyn.
- Abigail, born December 16, 1729; married, May 31, 1750, Daniel Geer.
- Priscilla.
- Abel, born March 9, 1736; married January 11, 1762, Sarah Allyn.
(IV) John (2), son of John (1) and Mary (Geer) Spicer, was born February 15, 1724, died June 28, 1769. He married Mercy Chapman, born October 13, 1723, died September 21, 1812, in her eighty-ninth year, daughter of William and Mercy (Stoddard) Chapman. Children:
- Mercy, born August 4, 1745, died December 7, 1745.
- Mary, January 24, 1747, died January 10, 1750.
- John, April 20, 1749, died October 8, 1826; served in the revolution; married, December 29, 1774, Mary Park.
- Cyrus, see forward.
- Molly, January 27, 1753.
- Keziah, March 13, 1755.
- Solomon, October 6, 1757, died October 11, 1757.
- Abel J., June 1, 1762; married, November 13, 1778, Sarah Park; he had three wives; he was the father of Park Spicer.
- Mercy, August 5, 1764; married Joseph Randall. Mercy (Chapman) Spicer survived her husband; she married (second) Daniel Ellis and was left a widow a second time and in destitute circumstances. Her sons, John and Cyrus, entered into an agreement concerning her support which is on record in Groton.
(V) Cyrus, second son and fourth child of John (2) and Mercy (Chapman) Spicer, was born March 13, 1751, died December 1, 1826. He married, July 28, 1771, Mary Eddy, born December 18, 1750, died July 31, 1828, a descendant of Rev. William Eddye, A. M., vicar of Crandpool, England, from 1590 to 1616, through his son, John Eddy, the American ancestor, who arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts, October 29, 1630 (see Eddy V). Children:
- Mary, born March 31, 1773; married Darius Thurber.
- John, see forward.
- Ruth, born February 28, 1778, died February 18, 1797.
- Allan, born January 1, 1780, died April 10, 1862; married, December 31, 1813, Sarah Williams.
- Cynthia, born March 4, 1782, died May 5, 1811.
- Cyrus, born June 30, 1784, died January 21, 1853; married Tammie Cross; had eight children.
- Solomon, born April 5, 1787, died November 27, 1820; had a son, Dr. Solomon.
- Sophia, born January 17, 1792, died January 24, 1854; married Colonel Erastus Geer.
(VI) John (3), eldest son of Cyrus and Mary (Eddy) Spicer, was born June 26, 1775, died April 12, 1842. He married, December 7, 1806, Mary, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Barnett) Thompson, and granddaughter of Anthony Thompson. She was born August 9, 1783, died January 14, 1870, Children, born in Hoosac, New York:
- John Eddy, see forward.
- Mary Barnett, born March 14, 1809, died August 14, 1863; married Gardner Wood; children: Esther Ann and John G.
- Caroline Thompson, October 24, 1810, died March 30, 1893; married Elias Agan; daughter, Lomira, deceased.
- Louisa Augusta, September 28, 1812, died unmarried February 27, 1870.
- Cynthia Miranda, September 9, 1814, died 1898; married, October 19, 1837, Job Gibbs; children: Charles N., Mary L., Edmond L., Julia A., Alfred G., Lorenzo J. and James A.
- Adeline Delia, September 2, 1816, died April 15, 1851; married, 1834, Andrew Wood; children: Clolena Louise, Mary Lovira and Almond.
- Cornelia Thompson, December 21, 1818, died May 4, 1876; married, 1841, Henry Monroe; children: Marie Antoinette, Anna Mary and Louisa Augusta.
- Theron Chapman, August 30, 1820; married, December 12, 1852, Hannah Anna Robbins; children: George Albert, Mary Isabel, le Grand Theron Chapman, Victoria Adelaide; he died in Troy, New York, February 14, 1896.
- Sidney Anthony, January 27, 1822, died May 6, 1877; married Sarah Knibloe; children: Frank Knibloe and Lizzie Sherburn.
- Alicia Blatchford, March 1, 1824; married (first) September 10, 1849, Bradford K. Hawes; (second) 1874, Abner Durfee.
(VII) John Eddy, eldest child of John (3) and Mary (Thompson) Spicer, was born in Hoosac, New York, September 23, 1807, died in Troy, New York, October 13, 1885. He was for many years engaged in the lumber business, and was a successful man of affairs. He was a Republican in politics, and a Universalist in religious belief. He was the first of his family to settle in Troy, New York. He married, October 20, 1830, Margaret Derrick, born in Providence, New York, December 9, 1806, died in Troy, October 14, 1883, daughter of John Derrick, of Brunswick, New York, and his wife, Sarah (Clawson) Derrick, born in New York City. Children:
- A son, born 1832, died unnamed.
- John Derrick; June 26, 1834, died February 17, 1905; married, 1859, Mary Hammond; children:
- Lizzie Fitch, born 1858; married George B. Pattison, a lawyer of Troy, New York, and
- Mary Thompson.
- Sarah Jane, 1836; unmarried; a resident and highly esteemed lady of Troy, New York.
- Mary Louisa, September 27, 1839, died February 25, 1841.
- Anna Eliza, March 10, 1846, died March 22, 1906; unmarried.
(The Eddy Line)
(I) Rev. William Eddye, A. M., vicar of the church of St. Demstan, of the town of Cranbrook, county of Kent, England, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, England. He married, November 20, 1757, Mary Posten, who died July, 1611. He married (second) in 1614, a widow, Elizabeth Taylor. He had ten children by first marriage and one by second marriage.
(II) John, son of Rev. William Eddye, was born March, 1597, died 1684. He came to America with his brother Samuel in the ship "Handmaid," John Grant, master, arriving at Plymouth, Massachusetts, October 29, 1630, after a stormy voyage of twelve weeks. Prior to 1631-32 he settled at Watertown, Massachusetts; was admitted freeman, September 3, 1634; elected selectman, 1635-36-37. He married (first) Amy ————, the mother of his nine children. Married (second) Joanna ————, who died August 25, 1683.
(II) Samuel, son of Rev. William Eddye, was born May, 1608, died 1685. He and John Eddy left London, August 16, 1630, and arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, twelve weeks later. He settled at Plymouth where he became one of the largest landowners, owning land also in other towns. In 1631 his assessment was one-half that of Captain Standish. On January 1, 1631, he was admitted a freeman and took the oath. His wife Elizabeth was fined ten shillings for "wringing out" clothes on the Lord's day, which fine was afterwards remitted. In 1660 she was again summoned before the court to answer to the charge of travelling on Sunday from Plymouth to Boston. She proved her visit was one of mercy, to visit a sick friend, and the court excused her but she was admonished. Samuel and Elizabeth Eddy had five children.
(III) Zechariah, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Eddy, was born 1639, died September 4, 1718. He was a farmer. He resided in Plymouth, Middleboro and Swansea. He also learned the trade of shipwright. He married (first) Alice Paddock, May 7, 1663; she was born March 7, 1640, died September 24, 1692; married (second) a widow, Abigail Smith, whose daughter, Bethiah, afterward married Caleb Eddy, son of Zechariah Eddy. He had nine children, all by first wife.
(IV) Obadiah, son of Zechariah and Alice (Paddock) Eddy, was born September 2, 1683. He lived in Swansea, Massachusetts. Married, December 9, 1709, Abigail Devotion; eight children.
(V) Constant, eldest child of Obadiah and Abigail (Devotion) Eddy, was born September 7, 1710, died November 16, 1784. He married, December 16, 1733, Mary Wenslow, born April 26, 1716, died September 7, 1784. Children:
- Devotion, born September 8, 1734, died June 9, 1813, at Partition, New York; he owned privateers in the revolutionary war; he married Mary Sherman, who lived to be ninety-five years of age; his son Gilbert was a revolutionary soldier and was a general of division in the war of 1812 in New York state; a grandson of Devotion Eddy, Russell, son of Gilbert, was paymaster in the army in 1812; Devotion Eddy was the father of eight children.
- Silva, February 27, 1736; married, June 4, 1753, Jacob Avery, of Groton; eleven children.
- Jemima, October 13, 1737; married, April 10, 1755, John Slade; five children.
- Abigail, November 19, 1739; married, August 26, 1762, Rev. Edward Thenber.
- Tisdall, Jan 16, 1743; married and had five children.
- Ruth, July 11, 1744; married Simeon Button.
- Elizabeth, October 25, 1745; married Ebenezer Winslow.
- Obadiah, March 21, 1746; married, June 15, 1769, Lois Palmer; four children.
- Mary, December 16, 1750; married, July 28, 1771, Cyrus Spicer (see Spicer V).