SPENCER The most recent Spencer with whom we are concerned is Eleanor Spencer (c. 1758 1814), wife of William Culshaw (1757 1816), a Scarisbrick yeoman. The earliest Spencer traced in the direct line is Eleanor s grandfather Henry Spencer (c. 1700 1787?), a Lathom husbandman. The name Spencer is a simple occupational one, meaning a house steward, with charge of the buttery or spence. *********************************************************************** Origins The 1666 hearth tax returns for Lathom show Richard Spencer with two hearths and Hugh, Henry, Thomas and John with one each. 1 Among early Lathom Spencers were Henry, husbandman and webster; his wife Jane; and Hugh, husbandman, all recusants in 1678 and 1682. 2 One Ann Spencer of Lathom married Edward Sumpner of Burscough by licence in 1709. Her aunt Elizabeth Spencer made her will on 14 June 1715, leaving bequests to her brother John and to Ann. 3 Other early Spencer wills include those of Henry of Newbrough (1712) 4 and Ellen (1743). 5 Henry and Eleanor Spencer Henry Spencer was born c. 1702, probably to Ha. Spencer of Lathom or Edward Spencer of Scarisbrick (both of whom appear in the return of papists for 1705). Thomas Spencer of Aughton (will 1728) also left a son Henry, but he was not a recusant there in 1705. 6 Henry was married by 1732, probably to Eleanor. They had sons Edward and Hugh (born c. 1727 and c. 1739) and daughters Mary, Ellen and Elizabeth (born c. 1732, c. 1737 and c. 1739) (and perhaps another daughter Jane, later the wife of William Wilson of Lathom (fl. 1810). There may also have been sons Henry (born c. 1725 or c. 1734 5 and a freeholder at Lathom in 1792 9; 7 died a non-roman catholic on 19 December 1818, will proved 4 March 1819) 8 and Joseph (born c. 1740 and a freeholder at Little Crosby in 1795). There may have been another daughter who married Peter Turton. Lathom court books survive from 1753 and in that year Henry Spencer is included amongst the Lowerside tenants. He remains so listed for several years (in 1755 between Evan Bootle dead, Thos Silcock and John Speakman). 9 Other listings occur for Westheadside, Scarth Hill, Parkside and Bewdsworth. From 1759 Henry Spencer was free. If the 1767 return is correct in marking Henry and his family as having lived in Scarisbrick for 15 years, Henry and Eleanor must have moved there in or after c. 1752. Eleanor, wife of Henry Spencer of Scarisbrick died in 1763 and was buried as a Roman catholic at Ormskirk on 24 February 1763. Henry Spencer last occurs in the Lathom court verdicts for October 1765, when we read that since the last court he has assigned to his son and that Edward Spencer is therefore admitted tenant. 10 Henry appears as a head of household in the 1767 return of papists for Scarisbrick, living together with his son and daughter-in-law Hugh and Dorothy Spencer (born c. 1739 and c. 1745); his unmarried daughters Mary, Ellen and Elizabeth (born c. 1732, c. 1737 and c. 1739) and Margaret Spencer (perhaps his sister: born c. 1714). (Hugh Spencer married Dorothea (Dolly) Turton at Ormskirk after banns on 16 February 1767: both signed and the witnesses were John Barton and William Brough). Henry may perhaps have returned to Lathom in old age: he was probably the Henry Spencer of Lathom buried at Ormskirk on 26 October 1787. 1
In 1795 and 1799 Henry Spencer s son Hugh (born c. 1736/9) was at Little Crosby and on the jury list by virtue of a Lathom freehold. Hugh made his will at Crosby on 7 November 1788, making bequests to his wife Dorothy and his sister Jane, wife of William Wilson of Lathom. 11 One Dorothy Spencer was sponsor (with William Culshaw) at the baptism of Edmund Culshaw in 1782. 12 Hugh Spencer died at Crosby on 29 January 1810 and the will was proved on 26 March 1811. Edward and Ann Spencer Edward Spencer is shown as c. 35 years of age in 1764 and as 40 in 1767 and was thus born c. 1727/9. His wife Ann appears in the return as 35 years old (born c. 1732) and they were thus probably married between 1748 and the birth of their eldest known child Mary in c. 1757. Eleanor, the second child, was born c. 1758. In 1760 the third child John, son of Edward and Ann Spencer of Lathom was baptised at Ormskirk Roman catholic chapel. More sons James, Henry and Joseph were born in c. 1761, c. 1763 and c. 1766. On 6 December 1764 Bootle-Wilbraham granted a lease to Edward Spencer (husbandman of Lathom) of a messuage and nine acres comprising The Three Crofts; The Orchard; The Two Triangles; The Thorns Hey; The Thistley Hey; The Little Mead; and The Cow Hey. The lives were those of Edward (c. 35), his son John (c. 4), and Mary, wife of George Rainford of Lathom (56). There was recited a previous lease of 29 November 1722 to Edward Stananought, of which one life (Mary Rainford s?) was still in being. We have seen that Edward was duly admitted tenant of his father s holding. From 1766 the Lathom manor call books include Edward Spencer late Henry Spencers. 13 Edward and Ann Spencer and their family are next met in the 1767 return of papists for Lathom township in Ormskirk parish. There were to be four more sons: William; Thomas (c. 1771 1861); Edward; and Hugh (perhaps baptised Roman catholic at Scarisbrick in 1778). The 1851 census confirms Thomas birthplace as Lathom. From 1770 the Lathom call books include Edward Spencer for late Henry Spencers among the freeholders. (From 1774 Henry sometimes appears as Hugh ). A verdict of 11 October 1780 has Edward Spencer dead: Ann his wife admitted. This makes it abundantly clear that Edward s burial is that recorded at Ormskirk on 14 May 1780 for whatever reason as Edward Spencer from Mosborough. Edward s will, referred to in that of his widow Ann in 1800 was probably never proved: no copy survives and no entry occurs in the probate act book. The 1781 land tax return for Westheadside (to be distinguished from Lathomside) includes among the Romanists Edward Spencer 11s. The 1779 1781 call book has among the freeholders Edward Spencer late Hugh Spencers dead Ann Spencer and that of 1782 1784 includes Ann Spencer among the freeholders between Edward Kershaw late Thos Silcock and Matthias Speakman late John Speakman. 14 The call book of 1785 1788 does the same. On 14 October 1781 Eleanor Spencer married William Culshaw, son of Edmond Culshaw a Scarisbrick yeoman and his wife Margaret. The marriage took place at Scarisbrick Roman catholic chapel and was validated at Halsall parish church the next day (as the law of the time required). William and Eleanor Culshaw were to have seven children. Lists of reserved rents of the Bootle-Wilbraham lands in the court books from 1791 seem to be speaking of Edward and Ann Spencer s lands under the following entries: Edward Spencer Stananoughts; Henry Spencer Silcocks, Moss, Moss; John Spencer Silcocks. One Henry Spencer was free at Lathom in 1798, aged 64. 15 The land tax return for Lathom in 1798/9 includes among lease tenants under Bootle Widow Spencer self 6s 7d. 16 Edward Spencer s widow Ann Spencer died in 1800 and was buried at Ormskirk on 5 May. By her will made on 6 January 1800 Ann left her goods and stock equally amongst all her sons and daughters except the eldest son John, who had been already sufficiently and handsomely provided for under her 2
late husband s will. The sons were also to have 20 each, while the two daughters Mary Spencer and Eleanor Culshaw were to share the linen. Ann s sons then living were John; Thomas; Henry; William; James; Joseph; Edward; Hugh. The Lathom court book of October 1800 has: John Spencer has become entitled to late Ann Spencer s and is admitted tenant and has paid 1s 4d. The 1802 land tax has John Spencer for Toppings 1s 4½d. A verdict of 1810 requires John Spencer to scour his ditch from Natts May Pole to Lowery Hill: an 1817 verdict speaks of his ditch upon Warpers Moss. When Edward and Ann s elder daughter Mary Spencer, spinster made her will at Scarisbrick on 2 January 1836 her brothers James, William and Joseph had all died (1800 1836), leaving children. 17 She left 2s 6d to John and then eight shares (each under 20) to Thomas, Henry and Hugh and to the children of Eleanor (Culshaw), James, William, Joseph and Ann (Lyon). Mary Spencer died on 2 January 1836 and the will was proved on 25 February. The 1839 Tithe Award In 1839 the Tithe Award 18 shows John Spencer as a leaseholder under Bootle-Wilbraham. John was himself occupier of a 12 acre holding north of Burscough Bridge [305 Moss Hey; 319 Cabin Close; 336 9 Stocky, Great Hey, House & Road; 373 Nook] The site of 338 should now be at the railway end of the footpath running south east from Burscough Bridge. John s 320 House nearby was occupied by Robert Lawson. Another 17 acres of John s land (probably his father s ancient holding) was occupied by John Swift [1177 Triangle Hey; 1178 Still Hey; 1195 Cow hey; 1197 Second Field]. Joseph Spencer occupied the adjacent house at 1188a (just east of Langleys and north west of Lathom Park), while Thomas Spencer occupied the house at 1190 and 3 acres [1187 Croft; 1189 Calf Croft; 1193 Old Meadow; 1194 Orchard] This ancient holding lay near the junction of Speakmans (now Flax) Lane and Hobcross (now Blythe) Lane, at which junction was the Scutchers Arms (fl. 1860 1908). This beerhouse was a little cottage, formerly a small farm owned by Edward Biddle of Briars Hill and tenanted by the Swift family in the 1840s and 1850s: a photograph of the Scutchers appears in Rosbottom s Burscough. 19 Some land owned by Lord Skelmersdale, leased by John Spencer and William Swift and occupied by John Spencer was included in the parliamentary bill of 1846 for the Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway. Further Spencer holdings lay on Blaguegate Moss, north east of Stanley Gate, Bickerstaffe in the far south east corner of Lathom, near the Bickerstaffe boundaries. Catherine Spencer occupied her own holding under Bootle-Wilbraham (1 acre with a house and orchard and the Cow Hey 2160 1), while James and Thomas Spencer held their two-rood Onion Croft (2159). Catherine and Thomas jointly held two acres of Coal Pit Hey (2688 90). James held his part of New Bank (three acres 2681) and Thomas his part (one acre 2682). The 1841 Census In 1841 John Spencer ( 80, independent ) is found at Staninholts, Lathom. [The enumeration method is complex, but Staninholts here appears in the sequence: Needless Inn, Near Yew Tree Burscough, Square Lane, Glovers Lane, Bursco Hall, Rutters Farm, Backhouse Cottage, STANINHOLTS,... Farm (Robert Croft), Glovers Lane, Blythe Lane (Joseph Spencer ** perhaps John s son), Green Lane Farm, Bursco Bridge, Harrisons Cottage, Hall Lane, Watkinsons Farm. Also at Staninholts in another sequence of enumeration was Thomas Spencer ** perhaps John s son ( 40, farmer, with Mary 40 and their children John (14), Catherine (11) and Mary (nine)) [Lowry Hill, Taylors Farm, Lathom Row, Toppings Farm, Near Three Oaks (Margaret Spencer ** perhaps John s daughter, 60, agricultural labourer), Swifts Cottage, Briars Mill, Harrisons Cottage, Wainwright s Yard, Hill Cottage, Harrisons Cottage, Duttons Hall, STANINHOLTS, Holcrofts Cottage, Lathom Hall, 3
Glovers Bridge.] At Holcrofts Cottage, Lowry Hill was Mary Spencer (80, labourer ), with William and Mary ( 45, labourer and 30 ) in the sequence continued from above: [Watkinsons Farm, Blythe Hall, Lathom Row, Hall Lane, Cranes Gate, Glovers Bridge, Lathom Row, Lowry Hill, Lees Farm, HOLCROFTS COTTAGE, Lowry Hill, Taylors Farm, continuing as above]. Thomas Spencer ( 75, agricultural labourer ) was at Harrisons Cottage, in the sequence: [Lathom School House, Wainwrights Cottage, Moss Bridge Cottage, Briars Hall, Woodyard Cottage, Blythe Cottage, Ainscough, HARRISONS COTTAGE, Near Langleys Farm, Tasker Place, Part of Langleys Farm, Langleys, Blythe Cottage, Near Warm Row.] Edward Spencer ( 75, agricultural labourer ) was close to Speakmans at The Almonry, Lathom Park in the sequence: [Wainwight s Cottage, Almonry Lathom Park, Newbro Lodge, ALMONRY LATHOM PARK, Blythe Cottage, Preston Lodge, Coopers Farm, Nelsons Farm, Blythe Lane, Image House Lane, Blythe Hall, Gibsons Cottage, Fazakerleys, Image House, Almonry Lathom Park, Part of Ainscoughs and Lathom School House, continuing with Wainwrights, above]. In another part of Lathom, north of the canal at Hoscar Moss was Thomas Spencer s son Edward (45, boatman ) and his wife Ellen. At Moss Lane were Samuel Spencer (60) and William Spencer (25). Finally in the south east of the township on Blaguegate Moss were Catherine Spencer (60), James Spencer (75, farmer, buried as a Roman catholic at Burscough in 1847) and Thomas Spencer (60, butcher). 20 Death of John Spencer It seems probable that Edward and Ann Spencer s son was the John Spencer, blacksmith who died [aged c. 87] at Lathom on 26 February 1848. 21 His will made on 1 July 1841 22 made provision for his sons Thomas (a Lathom farmer) and Joseph, for a daughter Margaret and for children of his late daughters Ann and Elinor: the will was proved on 30 October 1848. The 1851 Census By 1851 very few of the Spencer family remained in Lathom. North of the canal Thomas (85 and a retired agricultural labourer) was living at Moss lane with his daughter-in-law Ellen Spencer and her family. At Nelsons Farm was William Spencer (65, a labourer), probably the son of Mary (see 1841). At Blaguegate was Catherine Spencer (73). There seems no trace in 1851 of John (90)[died 1848], Mary (90), Edward (85), Margaret (70), William (55), Thomas and Mary (50) or of James (85) and Thomas (70) at Blaguegate. Additionally however there were at Langleys Farm, Robert (26); at Slate Farm (Blaguegate) John (41); and north of the canal Samuel (28)and his sister Mary (30). 23 Death of Thomas Spencer Some land at Scarisbrick owned and occupied by Thomas Spencer was to be taken in 1846 for the Southport branch of the Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway (and some at Ormskirk occupied by Joseph Oliverson and Thomas Spencer). Thomas Spencer s wife Amelia died at Scarisbrick in 1847, aged 67 and was buried as a Roman catholic at Ormskirk on 16 August. Thomas was still living at Scarisbrick when he made his will in 1849. In 1851 Thomas, a retired agricultural labourer, was living in the Moss Lane area of Lathom, near Burscough Bridge with his widowed daughter-in-law Ellen (a boatman s wife). Thomas Spencer was living at Aughton when he died aged 90 in January 1861. He was buried at St Elizabeth s Roman 4
catholic churchyard, Scarisbrick (where interments had been permitted since 1856). The 1872 electoral register shows John Spencer at Warpers Moss, Lathom. In 1873 John Spencer of Lathom and John of Warpers Moss both occur as owners of land (9 acres 0 17 and 12 acres 0 27, with rental values of 89 10s and 35 9s, respectively. **************** T.M. Steel (revised 26 July 2010) 5
1 The National Archives [hereafter T.N.A.], E 179/250/9 2 N. Gardner (ed.), Lancs Quarter Sessions Records: Register of Recusants, 1678, N.-W. Catholic History Soc. (Wigan, 1998), p. 67; 1682 (Wigan, 1999), p. 88 3 Wit. Henry Culshaw; will proved 8 May 1716. Ann was w. of Edwd Sumpner, a Lathom linen webster 4 Made 19 Aug 1712, proved 20 Nov: mentions w. Isabell, ss Thos & Jn, daus Ann, Eliz., Mary, Jenet, Sarah & Martha 5 Will missing 6 A.J. Mitchinson, The Return of the Papists for the Diocese of Chester, 1705 (Wigan, 1986), pp. 13 14 7 Lancs Record Office [hereafter L.R.O.], QDF/2/25, 31, 37, 56, 63, 69 8 Will made 2 Oct. 1812, wits Chas & [?] Price & Jos. Smith. He mentioned his w. Jane; a leasehold under Bootle, occ. by s. Thos; s. Jas; dau. Eliz., w. of Luke Martindale. In the event effects were under 20, leaving nothing to administer 9 L.R.O., DDHi (uncat.); Thos Silcock was doubtless the weaver, 63 shown living close to the Spencers in the 1767 Return of Papists 10 L.R.O., DDHi/box 37 11 Wits Jn & Betty Heyes & Jn Lucas; execs w. Dor. & Jane Wilson 12 See 13 L.R.O., DDHi (uncat.) 14 Matthias Speakman s land can be plotted from Lathom Enclosure Map 1781, near Little Moss, Hoscar Moss & Maypole Hill: L.R.O., AE/7/12 15 St Helens Lib., M/J/6 (list of freeholders in W. Derby hundred, 1798) 16 For 1798: T.N.A., IR 23/40 (ff.576, ff & 616, ff) 17 Wits Wm Buck & Rbt Kershaw; execs Rbt Halsall & Wm Culshaw 18 T.N.A., IR 29, 30/18/193 (tithe map 1841) 19 E.J. Rosbotham, Burscough, the Story of an Agricultural Village (Preston, 1987), p. 265 20 T.N.A., HO 107/515 21 Not bur. Ormskirk 22 Wits (both of Thornton) Hugh Spencer, schoolmaster & Ann Spencer, spinster; execs s. Thos & s.-in-law Peter Lea, Lathom 23 T.N.A., HO 107/2197/9?; Jn was at Square Lane in 1891, aged 81 & Wm at Burscough Bridge, 70: RG; one Wm Spencer was at Slate Farm 1880: EL