watson.jpg)
02. Mary Spence** NB I have not researched these individuals extensively. This is just information I have gleaned in the course of researching my own line. **
This page was last revised on 2009-06-13.
| 1811-10-04 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/628, /775 |
| 1811-10-23 | of North Shields; d. | RG 6/226 |
| 1811-10-24 | bur. North Shields | RG 6/226 |
02. Mary Spence| 1813-01-16 | b. North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1824-07-22 | with her sister Sarah, left home for school at Doncaster. | Philip Spence (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed, p. 38 |
| 1835-02-11 | present at Newcastle Monthly Meeting; notice given of her intent to marry James Watson. | minutes of Newcastle Monthly Meeting, Tyne & Wear Archives Service MF 169 |
| 1835-03-11 | at Newcastle Monthly Meeting, freed to marry. | minutes of Newcastle Monthly Meeting, TWAS MF 169 |
| 1835-03-12 | m. James Watson (1810-1861, draper of North Shields, son of William Watson, manufacturer of Hawick, Roxburgh, Scotland, & Margaret), at North Shields Friends' meeting house; both signed. Witnesses: William Brown, miller, North Shields; Edward Richardson, tanner, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Henry Brady, surgeon, Gateshead. | RG 6/527, RG 6/1245; Annual Monitor |
| Children: | William Lindsay (1836-66), Margaret (1839-58), Robert Foster (1840-45), Emma (1842-45), Edith (1844-93), Alice (1846-1935), Anna (1847-1923), James (1850-1936), Ernest (1852-94), Emma Lindsay (1855-1902). | Annual Monitor; The British Friend; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; Philip Spence (1939) |
| 1841 | living with husband and 4 children at Howard Street, Tynemouth, Northumberland. | HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1851 | living at 6 Cumberland Row, Westgate, Newcastle, with husband, three children, 2 general servants, and a visitor. | HO 107/2404 f223 p3 |
| 1852 | son born at Cumberland Row, Newcastle. | The British Friend |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000). | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1861 | living with husband (mercer empg 4 men 15 women) , 4 children (all b. Newcastle), visitor, nephew & 2 servants at 6 Cumberland Row, Westgate, Newcastle. | RG 9/3812 f17 p81 |
| 1871 | of Hawthorne Terrace, Elswick, Newcastle, living with three children (all b. Newcastle) and one servant. | RG 10/5076 |
| 1873-11-20 | widow of James Watson, draper; d. very suddenly at 8 Hawthorn Terrace, Westgate, Newcastle, of heart disease certified. | death certificate; will; source misplaced |
watson.jpg)
03. Sarah Spencebrown.jpg)
04. Elizabeth Foster Spence| 1815-08-17 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775; The Friend |
| 1834-08-14 | left for Edinburgh. | Philip Spence (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed, p. 40 |
| 1837-08-17 | of Howard St, Tynemouth; m. Henry Brown (1813-46, starch manufacturer of North Shields), at North Shields. | marriage digest; RG 6/1245; Annual Monitor |
| 1851 | annuitant, of Siskele St, Tynemouth, living with two daughters and a house servant. | PRO HO 107/2410 f? p81 |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000). | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1861 | widowed chemist & druggist, living with daughter, servant, and two boarders at 83 Tyne Street, Tynemouth. | RG 9/3841 |
| 1871 | not found in census. | |
| 1876-05-04 | widow of Henry Brown, miller; d. Grove Villa, Belmont Road, Twickenham, of gall stones 5 years perforation peritonitis 6 hours certified, aged 60. | death certificate; The Friend NS XVI.June:167 |
| 1876-05-09 | bur. Twickenham Cemetery. | burials digest |
corder.jpg)
05. Rachel Spence| 1816-09-25 | b. North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/1245 |
| 1834-08-14 | left for Edinburgh. | Philip Spence (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed, p. 40 |
| 1841 | living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth. | PRO HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1842-03-24 | of Howard St, Tynemouth; m. Henry Shewell Corder (1814-1912, linen draper of Tavern St, Ipswich, Suffolk), at Tynemouth Friends' meeting house. | marriage digest; marriage certificate; Essex births digest; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
| 1842-06-02 | with husband, witness at brother’s wedding at Kensington Registry Office. | brother’s marriage certificate |
| Children: | Thomas (1843-49), Robert Spence (1844-44). | Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England |
| 1844-07-19 | of Ipswich; d. at Banas Street, St Matthew, Ipswich, of puerperal fever, aged 28. | death certificate; The Friend; The British Friend |
| ‘She was of a remarkably sweet and amiable disposition, which endeared her to all who knew her, and her loss will be greatly felt by her numerous relatives and friends.’ | The British Friend | |
| 1844-07-25 | bur. Ipswich. | burials digest |
06. Robert Spence| 1817-12-12 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1829/1832 | at Lawrence Street school, York. | Bootham School Register (1971) |
| 1832-10-12 | ‘Robert is also at home in the shop and I hope likely to become useful in relieving his father before many years pass over from a part of those cares which a family large or small necessarily has attached to it’ . . . | letter from Robert Spence to William Rowntree, in possession of Peter Robson |
| 1841 | banker’s clerk, living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth | HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1842-05-11 & -12 | wrote to Robert Foster. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster, in my possession |
| 1842-05-15 | "Roberts house gets on very well, the large furniture is mostly in, & this week a good many additions will be made to it—they are kept actively employed in preparing it—" | letter from Robert Spence sr to his nephew Robert Foster, in my possession |
| 1842-06-02 | clerk, of Howard Street, North Shields; m. Sarah Hagen (1820-78, of Earls Court, Kensington, daughter of Thomas Hagen, brewer), at Kensington Registry Office. | marriage certificate; The British Friend |
| Children: | Sarah (1843-75), Robert (1845-53), Edward Hagen (1847-48), Charles James (1848-1905), Rachel (1850-63), unnamed child (1853-53), Alfred Thomas (1854-54) | Annual Monitor; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; Philip Spence, ed. (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed; source for death of Alfred Thomas misplaced |
| 1843-07/1849-07 | agent in North Shields for the Friends’ Provident Institution. | The British Friend |
| 1844-08-16 | wrote to Robert Foster of North Shields, Post Office, Edinburgh. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1844-10/1852-08 | agent in North Shields for the Friends’ Provident Institution. | The Friend |
| 1845-05-17 | wrote to Robert Foster, c/o Myles B. Foster, Stranraer Place, Edgware Road, London. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1845-10-09 | banker; co-executor and trustee of father’s will, proved at Durham. | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1845-12-24 | wrote to Robert Foster, Union Bank, No. Shields, Northumberland. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1846-01-08 | wrote to Robert Foster from 8 Woodland Terrace, Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| after 1846-10-29 | wrote to Robert Foster. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1846-11-11 | wrote to Robert Foster from 8 Woodland Terrace, Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1846-11-26 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1846-12-10 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1846-12-20 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1847-01-18 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1847-01-21 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1847-01-28 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1847-01-30 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1847-02-21 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1847-03-16 | wrote
to Robert Foster from Falmouth: John Chapman says that I am "on no account" to return at present & I feel convinced that on account of my health it will be wise for me to remain a few weeks longer. I find that 6 mos of 4 weeks each will be up on the 22nd of next month & I hope soon after then to return. If any pressing need arise, I am still ready to come at once but if this is not the case I believe the hope of benefit to my health is greater from the few weeks we have to remain that it has been hitherto—the only time I have suffered from cold has been during the last month & it has left me some little lost ground to regain which in the mild weather coming on now I have ground for hoping that I may do. |
Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| c. 1847-03 | wrote to Robert
Foster: As to reports one need not wonder—for my own part I have always thought the Directors were kept shamefully in the dark as to the real state of affairs—even poor father never knew what their position was at Newcastle "re Scarth &c" He at all events used to say so & to express frequent anxiety about it & I think the way in which the shareholders who enquired about Scarth &c were snubbed at the Genl Meetg was shameful The Chapmans have always behaved towards the Shareholders as though they had no money at stake in the concern—I consider the carrying on of that Iron business a shameful speculation—totally unjustifiable even by the way in which they say it is likely to turn out for our good. It might have been very different & whether it was so or not it is an improper sphere for Bankers—we should keep to Banking & not go into Trade. |
Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| also two other letters to Robert Foster, about this time. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster | |
| 1847 |
In the commercial panic of 1847 the Union Bank became involved by the unwise management of William Chapman and suspended payment, but the North Shields business was at the time in so sound a condition under the management of Robert Spence, junior, that the shareholders interested reconstituted the bank under Robert Spence again as manager, and the old Shields business was mostly recovered. |
Spence (1939), p. 52 |
| 1847-04-10 | wrote to Robert Foster. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1847-04-17 | wrote to Robert Foster from Falmouth. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1848-01-26 | wrote to Robert Foster. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1848-08-15 | co-executor and trustee of father’s will, proved at London. | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1851 | bank manager, of Rosella Place, Preston, Tynemouth, living with wife, 4 children (all b. North Shields) and 2 house servants. | HO 107/2409 f571v |
| 1851-09-18 | wrote to Robert Foster, from Armagh (and again, about this time). | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1852 | bank manager, of North Shields. | title deed in Teesside Archives, catalogued at www.a2a.org.uk |
| 1852 | for a rate of 4s. 6d. claimed from Robert Spence, junior, a double-chest of drawers and four chairs value £5 0s. 0d. were taken, the chairs being returned after the sale. | Spence (1939), p. 49 |
| 1852-08-25 | wrote to Robert Foster from Wakefield. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1852-08-28 | wrote to Robert Foster. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1852-08-31 | wrote to Robert Foster from Llanberis, North Wales (and again, around this time.) | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1853-09-28 | wrote to Robert Foster from Rothbury (and two/three notes, about this time). | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000) | father’s will, PROB 11/2080 |
| 1855-11 | contributed £0.5.0 to the Highland Destitution Fund. | The Friend XIII |
| 1859-10-01 | wrote to Robert Foster from Windermere. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1859 | the interest of the shareholders was purchased by Messrs Woods & Co. and in 1859 Robert joined the new private bank of Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease & Spence. | Spence (1939), p. 49 |
| 1861 | banker employing 10 clerks, of 4 Rosella Place, Preston, Tynemouth, living with wife, 3 children (all b. Tynemouth), cook and housemaid. | RG 9 3839 f76 p49 |
| 1871 | banker of Rosella Place, Preston, Tynemouth, living with wife, cook & housemaid. | RG 10/5115 f88v |
| banker (Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease and Spence) of North Shields. | Bootham School Register | |
| 1879-04 | has subscribed £5.0.0 to the Ackworth School Centenary fund. | The Friend NS XIX.Apr ads, The British Friend Mar ads 13 |
| 1880-01/1890-07 | agent in North Shields for the Friends’ Provident Institution. | The Friend; The British Friend |
| 1890-08-09 | d. at 5 Rosella Place, North Shields. | Milligan (2007); 1891Annual Monitor |
| 1890-08-12 | bur. Preston cemetery, North Shields. | information from Peter Burns |
07. John Foster Spence| 1818-11-08 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1829/1833 | at Lawrence Street school, York | Bootham School Register (1971); Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1839-03-23 | inmate, of Howard Street, North Shields; informant of brother’s death | death certificate |
| 1839-07-16 | set out on a tour to the Continent; returned in August. | Philip Spence, (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed, pp. 42 & 48 |
| 1841 | woollen draper, living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth. | HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1843-09-28 | draper, of Howard St, N. Shields; m. Elizabeth Corder (1817-86,of Writtle, Essex) at Chelmsford, Essex. | marriage digest; Essex births digest; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust; 1887 Annual Monitor |
| Children: | John Foster (1844-1917), Thomas (1846-1936), Elizabeth (1847-1914), Henry Corder (1849-1939), Edward (1851-51), Alfred (1853-55), Robert Foster (1855-1932), Mary Emma (1857-aft 1901). | Annual Monitor; The Friend; censuses; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; Bootham School Register; information from Peter Burns; Spence (1939) |
| 1845-10-09 | banker; co-executor and trustee of father’s will, proved at Durham. | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| with Joseph Spence, inherited father’s drapery business. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 | |
| 1848 | took active part in movement to establish Customs House in North Shields; also prominent in the formation of the River Tyne Commission, of which he was many years a life member. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1848-08-15 | co-executor and trustee of father’s will, proved at London. | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1850-08-13 | witnessed sister Ann’s wedding at Earsdon, Northumberland. | sister’s marriage certificate |
| 1851 | general draper & tailor employing 23 men & boys, living with wife & 2 sons at Howard Street East, Tynemouth. | HO 107/2410 f55 p? |
| 1852 | for a rate of £1 3s. 2d. claimed from I.F. and J. Spence for place of business and dwelling house, new cloth to the value of £14 15s. 7d. was seized and £2 9s 4½d. returned. | Spence (1939), p. 49 |
| 1853-02-24 | son born at Chirton Cottage, near North Shields. | The Friend IX.123:57, Mar 1853 |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000) | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1854 | elected to Council. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1854-03-23 | present at sister Emma’s wedding, Christ Church, North Shields. | information from Peter Burns, citing Emma Spence’s marriage certificate |
| 1854-03-23 | present at sister Emma’s wedding, Tynemouth parish church. | sister’s marriage certificate |
| 1855-06-03 | of Chirton; present at sister Emma’s death; registered death two days later. | sister’s death certificate |
| 1855-11 | contributed £2.0.0 to the Highland Destitution Fund. | The Friend XIII |
| from 1856 | on Committee of the Tyne Sailors’ Homes. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1857-09-01 | ‘J.F. & J. Spence will shortly have a vacancy for an Assistant to the General Drapery Trade. North Shields, 9th Month. 1st, 1857.’ | The British Friend XV.IX:247 |
| 1858-08 | ‘J.F. & J. Spence will shortly have a vacancy for an Assistant to the General Drapery Trade. North Shields, 9th Month. 1st, 1857.’ | The Friend XV |
| 1859-07-20 | draper of North Shields; witnessed niece’s wedding. | niece’s marriage certificate |
| 1860-03-22 | appointed magistrate. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1861 | magistrate for borough of Tynemouth – town councillor for do – draper tailor and carpet warehouseman; living with wife, 4 children (1845 & 1850 b. Tynemouth, 1855 & 1857 b. Chirton) and 2 servants at Chirton Cottage, Chirton, Tynemouth. | RG 9/3838 |
| 1861 | Mayor of Tynemouth. | Bootham School Register; Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1862-04 | Alderman. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1862 | elected member of the Tynemouth Board of Guardians; later vice-chairman and chairman. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1865-05-05 | carte portrait advertised for sale @ 1/-. | Shields Daily News |
| 1865-06-05 | laid foundation stone of the New Hall, Saville-street, West, North Shields (Loyal British Flag Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U. | Shields Daily News 1865-06-01 |
| 1866-04 | J.F. & J. Spence of North Shields advertising for an assistant in the general drapery business, also an apprentice. | The British Friend XXIV.4:99 |
| 1867-10-31 | resigned as member of Town Council. | Shields Daily News 1867-10-31 |
| 1867-11-29 | manager of the North Shields Kettlewell Endowed British School. | information from Peter Burns |
| for years secretary of the Royal Jubilee School; trustee or governor of Kettlewell’s Endowed Schools, and of the Union British Schools. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| 1870 | re-elected to Council; councillor till death. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1871 | magistrate, draper, of Chirton Cottages, Chirton, Tynemouth, living with wife, son (b. cal 1847 Shields), companion & domestic servant. | RG 10/5114 f68r |
| 1873-03 | ‘Wanted, by J.F. & J. Spence, Drapers and Carpet Warehousemen, &c., North Shields, a Youth of 15 to 17 years of age, as Apprentice.’ | The British Friend XXXI.Mar:72 |
| 1873-04 | subscribed 10s. to E.J. Saleebey’s Schools at Lebanon. | The British Friend XXXI.Apr:81 |
| 1876-12-27 | after 6 years’ service on the Tynemouth School Board, stood for election again. | Shields Daily News 1876-12-28 |
| 1881 | of Chirton Cottage, 5 Chirton, Tynemouth; magistrate, Alderman & draper emp. 24 men, 10 women, 5 boys at North Shields. | RG 11 |
| 1883-07-04 | of North Shields. | The Friend XXIII.Oct:267, The British Friend XLI.Oct:264 |
| served six years on the School Board. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| 1886/1888 | chairman of the School Board. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| represented Tynemouth on the Northumberland County Council. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| co-founder of the Borough of Tynemouth Life Brigade. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| staunch Liberal; joined the Unionists after the split. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| 1891/1894 | Mayor of Tynemouth. | Bootham School Register; Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| 1891 | retired draper, of Chirton Cottage, Chirton, Northumberland. | RG 12 |
| 1894 | Freeman of the Borough. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 |
| chairman of the Sanitary Committee. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| claimed to be connected with from seventy to eighty committees. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| prominently connected with the Dorcas Society, the Indigent Sick Society, the Bible Society, the Dispensary, the Religious Tract Society, the Northern Society for the Blind. Ardent supporter of Tyne Lifeboat Institution; connected with St John Ambulance Association. Leading member of the Lit. & Phil. Keen on Technical Education Movement. Supported schemed to remove the Albion Hotel and make Saville Street and Charlotte Street one distinct thoroughfare. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| 1896-04-09 | present at niece Mabel Spence Watson’s wedding at Pilgrim Street Friends' meeting house; signed marriage certificate; Alderman Spence of Tynemouth. | RSW Cuttings |
| ‘the best known gentleman on Tyneside’ | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| ‘a most picturesque personality’; established volunteer Brigades for the saving of life from shipwreck. | Shields Daily News 1901-07-24 | |
| 1901 | retired woollen draper, living on own means, of Chirton Cottage, Chirton; deaf in one ear caused by small pox. | RG 13 |
| 1901-07-22 | d. at Chirton Cottage, North Shields. | Milligan (2007) |
08. Joseph Spence| 1819-12-28 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1829/1834 | at Lawrence Street school, York. | Bootham School Register (1971); Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 |
| apprenticed to the drapery trade at Stockton. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 | |
| 1835-09-15 | bound apprentice to A. Sanders & Cuthbert Wigham at Stockton. | Philip Spence (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed, p. 41 |
| 1841 | linen & woollen draper, living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth. | PRO HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1845-02-26 | m. Caroline Shewell (1817-97, eldest daughter of Joseph Shewell, of Colchester), at Colchester, Essex. | marriage digest; The Friend; The British Friend |
| 1845-10-09 | draper; co-executor and trustee of father’s will, proved at Durham. | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| Children: | Mary (1847-58), Anna Caroline (1849-1927), Joseph Shewell (1852-1917), Lucy Mary (1861-68). | The British Friend; Annual Monitor; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; information from Peter Burns |
| 1848-08-15 | co-executor and trustee of father’s will, proved at London. | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| with John Foster Spence, inherited father’s drapery business. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 | |
| 1851 | tailor & general draper employing 23 men & boys, of Howard Street (east side), Tynemouth, Northumberland; living with wife, two daughters, 3 draper’s assistants, house servant, nurse maid, and cook. | HO 107/2410 f168 p60 |
| 1852 | for a rate of £1 3s. 2d. claimed from I.F. and J. Spence for place of business and dwelling house, new cloth to the value of £14 15s. 7d. was seized and £2 9s 4½d. returned. | Spence (1939), p. 49 |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000). | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1855-11 | contributed £2.0.0 to the Highland Destitution Fund. | The Friend XIII |
| 1857-09-01 | ‘J.F. & J. Spence will shortly have a vacancy for an Assistant to the General Drapery Trade. North Shields, 9th Month. 1st, 1857.’ | The British Friend XV.IX:247 |
| 1858-03-13 | of North Shields. | The British Friend XVI.IV:108 |
| 1858-08 | ‘J.F. & J. Spence will shortly have a vacancy for an Assistant to the General Drapery Trade. North Shields, 9th Month. 1st, 1857.’ | The Friend XV |
| 1859-07-20 | draper of North Shields; witnessed niece’s wedding. | niece’s marriage certificate |
| 1861 | draper employing 15 men 6 boys & 3 women, living with wife, 2 children, and 2 house servants in Prior Terrace, Tynemouth. | RG 9/3842 f? p10 |
| 1861 | first elected to the Council. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 |
| 1861-05-28 | assistant clerk at a large Quaker committee at Yearly Meeting. | The Friend N.S. 1.6, 1861-06-07 |
| 1861-06-01 | re conference on revision of the Book of Discipline: JS one of four members of conference to be appointed to report back to YM. | The British Friend p. 135 |
| 1861-09-08 | daughter Lucy Mary b. at Tynemouth. | The British Friend 1861-10-01 p. 254 |
| 1862-08-01 | one of five Arbitrators to the Friends’ Provident Association. | ad in The Friend p. 208 |
| 1863-01-01 | of Tynemouth; among those appointed by YM to visit Yorkshire QM. | The Friend p.10 |
| 1863 | Alderman and Mayor. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 |
| 1865 | appointed a Borough Magistrate. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 |
| 1865-05-24 | one of the assistant clerks at London Yearly Meeting. | The British Friend 1865-06-08 p. 140 |
| 1866-04 | J.F. & J. Spence of North Shields advertising for an assistant in the general drapery business, also an apprentice. | The British Friend XXIV.4:99 |
| 1867-05-22 | an assistant clerk to LYM, as in 1866. | The British Friend XXV.6:134 |
| 1869 | elected Mayor for a second time. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 |
| 1871 | Justice of the Peace, alderman and draper, living with wife and two children (both b. North Shields) at 2 Priors Terrace, Tynemouth. | RG 10/5121 |
| 1871 | elected a member of the first School Board. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 |
| 1873-03 | ‘Wanted, by J.F. & J. Spence, Drapers and Carpet Warehousemen, &c., North Shields, a Youth of 15 to 17 years of age, as Apprentice.’ | The British Friend XXXI.Mar:72 |
| 1873-04 | subscribed 10s. to E.J. Saleebey’s Schools at Lebanon. | The British Friend XXXI.Apr:81 |
| 1877-05-23 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The British Friend. XXXV.June:131 |
| 1880-05-27 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The Friend XX.June:160 |
| 1881 | draper, JP for the Borough of Tynemouth, of 2 Prior Terrace, Tynemouth, Northumberland. | RG 11 |
| 1881-05-18 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The Friend XXI.June:141 |
| 1881-05-23 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The Friend XXI.June:155–6 |
| 1881-05-24 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The Friend XXI.June:160 |
| 1881-05-27 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The Friend XXI.June:165 |
| 1881-05 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The British Friend XXXIX.June:143 |
| 1883-05-23 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The British Friend June:127 |
| 1883-05-25 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The British Friend June:137 |
| 1883-05-28 | spoke at London Yearly Meeting. | The Friend XXIII.June:148 |
|
The manhood of his life, extending up to a twelve month since, was given to public work, and for a great number of years his name was so interwoven with the affairs of the borough as to make it difficult to find his like again. Combined with his indomitable energy and perseverance his strict integrity of character, and his many social and intellectual attainments, were his utter unselfishness, his absolute disregard for personal distinction, and his sincere unostentation in every phase of his public career. Never anxious about his fame, the honours which his townsmen conferred upon him were invariably accepted with reluctance, and only from a real sense of duty. |
Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 | |
| President for many years of the Tynemouth Liberal Association; contested the seat. | Shields Daily News 1889-12-18 | |
| 1889 | of Tynemouth; elder. | 1891Annual Monitor |
| 1889-12-17 19:45 |
d. at his residence, 2 Priors Terrace, Tynemouth; a severe cold developed serious symptoms and rendered him prostrate. |
Shields Daily News; The British Friend; 1891Annual Monitor |
09. Thomas Spence| 1821-06-17 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1830/1836 | at Lawrence Street school, York. | Bootham School Register (1971) |
| 1839 | surgeon, of North Shields. | RG 6/1245 |
| 1839-03-22 | apprentice to a surgeon, of Howard Street, Tynemouth; d. of continued fever. | death certificate |
| 1839-03-24 | bur. Stephenson Street Friends burial ground, North Shields. | RG 6/1245 |
brown.jpg)
10. Jane Spence| 1823-02-23 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1834-08 | of Shields; began at Mount School, York. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
| 1837-07 | of Shields; left Mount School. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) |
| 1841 | living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth. | PRO HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| c. 1841 | Charles Brown 'had become attached to one, who, though very young, was of a kindred spirit to his own; and when about twenty-five years old, he obtained her consent to a union with him in marriage.' . . . 'the marriage was deferred for some time on account of age' . . . . | Annual Monitor |
| 1843-02-09 | of Howard St, Tynemouth; m. Charles Brown (1816-64, miller of North Shields), at North Shields. | marriage digest; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
| Child: | Jane Spence (1845-1926). | Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; Philip Spence, ed. (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed |
| 1845-12-26 | d. at Spring Terrace, Preston, Tynemouth, of puerperal peritonitis 4 days certified; husband a miller; informant sister Margaret, present at the death, of Howard Street. | death certificate; 1847 and 1865 Annual Monitor; The Friend IV.37:20, Jan 1846; |
| 1846-01-01 | bur. Stephenson St, N. Shields. | burials digest |
| 1824-01-22 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1824-01-22 | d. aged about 15 hours. | RG 6/1245 |
| 1824-01-23 | bur. Stephenson St Friends' burial ground, North Shields. | RG 6/1245 |
| 1824-01-22 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1824-10-31 | d. North Shields. | RG 6/1245 |
| 1824-11-02 | bur. Stephenson St Friends' burial ground, North Shields. | RG 6/1245 |
foster.jpg)
13. Ann Spence| 1825-08-13 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/404, /775 |
| 1836-08 | of Shields; began at Mount School, York. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
| 1840-12 | of Shields; left Mount School. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) |
| 1841 | living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth, Northumberland. | HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1848-04-27 | wrote to Robert Foster from 4 Stranraer Place. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster, in my possession |
| 1848-07-17 | wrote to Robert Foster from Ipswich. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1848-09-17 | probably wrote to Robert Foster, c/o MB Foster, 4 Stranraer Place, Maida Vale, London | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster |
| 1850-08-13 | of Tynemouth; m. Myles Birket Foster (1825-99, artist, of Seaton Sluice, son of Myles Birket Foster, gentleman), at Earsdon parish church, Northumberland, by licence; witnesses John Foster Spence, Robert Foster. | marriage certificate; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
| 1851 | living at Marsden Villas, Clifton Road, St Marylebone, Middlesex, with husband and servant. | HO 107/1491 f? p 41 |
| Children: | Myles Birket (1851-1922), William (1853-1924), Henry (1854-1928), Margaret Ann (1856-1923), Ellen (1857-1946). | GRO index; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; information from Sarah Batchelor; Philip Spence, ed. (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000) | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1859 |
She died at Littlehampton. I was with her when she was taken ill upon the sea beach and when she died. |
Robert Spence Watson (1969) Reminiscences of the late Rt Hon. Robert Spence Watson. York, privately printed, p. 13 |
| 1859-07-03 | d. Littlehampton, Sussex, of gastric fever certified; wife of Birket Foster artist; informant Ann Stringer, in attendance, Littlehampton. | death certificate |
14. Margaret Spence (Meggy)| 1825-08-13 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/404, /775 |
| 1836-08 | of Shields; began at Mount School, York. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
| 1840-12 | of Shields; left Mount School. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) |
| 1841 | living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth. | PRO HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1845-21-26 | present at death of sister Jane, Spring Terrace, Preston, Tynemouth. | sister’s death certificate |
| 1848-07-17 | wrote to Robert Foster from Ipswich. | Robert Spence letters to Robert Foster, in my possession |
| 1851-03-08 | independent lady; d. of influenza 4 days certified, at 3 White Rock Place, St Mary Magdalen, Hastings, Sussex. | death certificate; Annual Monitor; burials digest |
| 1851-03-14 | bur. Stephenson Street, North Shields. | burials digest |
taylor.jpg)
15. Hannah Maria Spence| 1827-07-13 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775 |
| 1839-08 | of North Shields; began at Mount School, York. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
| 1841 | pupil, of Castlegate, St Mary Castlegate, Yorkshire. | PRO HO 107/1355/3 f10 p12 |
| 1843-06 | of North Shields; left Mount School. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) |
| 1851 | annuitant, living in household of cousin Robert Foster at Howard Street East, Tynemouth. | HO 107/2410 f? 55 p? |
| 1852-07-15 | m. William Taylor (1818-97, coal and coke exporter, of Newcastle, later steamship manager and ship broker), at North Shields Friends' meeting house. | censuses; Annual Monitor; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
| Children: | Robert William (1853-77), Joseph Henry (1855-1939). | Bootham School Register (1971); Milligan (2007) |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000). | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1856-10-09 | d. 1 Commercial Street, Linthorpe, Yarm, Durham and York, of consumption certified; wife of William Taylor a merchant; informant Isabella Taylor, present at the death, Dacre street, Middlesbrough. | death certificate |
| 1829-06-25 | b. Howard St, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/1149 |
| 1829-07-24 | d. North Shields. | RG 6/1245 |
| 1829-08-26 | bur. Stephenson St Friends' burial ground, North Shields. | RG 6/1245 |
corder.jpg)
17. Emma Spence| 1830-11-19 | b. Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775, /1149 |
| 1830-12-30 | . . . ‘our little Emma seems a blooming hopeful blossom’ . . . | letter from Robert Spence to William Rowntree, in possession of Peter Robson |
| 1836-01-23 |
A fearful gale from the West South West blew down the bank chimney through the roof of our back room, & Emma had a very narrow escape with her life, being enveloped by the dust & mortar of the falling ruins just as she left the room. |
Philip Spence, (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle, privately printed, p. 41 |
| 1841 | living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth, Northumberland. | PRO HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1842-08 | of North Shields; began at Mount School, York. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
| c. 1840s |
Emma who has got the mumps slightly, is with our grandson Willy comparatively well. They have not been to school to-day, nor has it been suitable for them to go to Tynemouth, it has been so showery, but they have had the company of their Cousins Mary, Elizabeth and Ann Clapham. |
Spence (1939) , p. 47 |
| 1846-06 | of North Shields; left Mount School. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) |
| 1851 | annuitant, living in household of cousin Robert Foster at Howard Street East, Tynemouth. | HO 107/2410 f55 p? |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000). | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1854-03-23 | m. Octavius Corder (1829-1910, chemist of Tynemouth, son of Thomas Corder, farmer) at Tynemouth parish church, by licence; witnesses John Foster Spence, Robert Foster | marriage certificate; digest of births (Essex); Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
| 1855-06-03 | d. Tynemouth village, Tynemouth, Northumberland, of phthisis pulmonalis seven years, nephritic disease 3 months certified; husband a chemist & druggist; informant brother John Forster Spence, present at the death, Chirton. | death certificate; The Friend XIII.150:116 |
spence.jpg)
18. Lucy Fisher Spence| 1832-10-10 | b. 7 o’clock, Wednesday, Howard Street, North Shields, Northumberland. | PRO RG 6/775; 1832-10-12 letter from Robert Spence to William Rowntree in possession of Peter Robson |
| 1832-10-12 | . . . ‘a very bonny blooming daughter who is yet nameless’ . . . | letter from Robert Spence to William Rowntree |
| 1832-12-31 | . . . ‘the infant (‘Lucy Fisher’) who has also been ill, is again well’ . . . | letter from Robert Spence to William Rowntree in possession of Peter Robson |
| 1841 | living with family at Howard Street, Tynemouth. | PRO HO 107/826/3 f8 p8 |
| 1844-08 | of North Shields; began at Mount School, York. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
| 1846-11 | of North Shields; left Mount School. | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) |
| 1851 | annuitant, living in household of cousin Robert Foster at Howard Street East, Tynemouth. | HO 107/2410 f55 p? |
| shortly after 1853-10-10 (last sibling’s 21st birthday) | father’s estate finally wound up; presumably a beneficiary of 1/11th (a bit over £2000) | father’s will, PRO PROB 11/2080 |
| 1855-02-22 | of Howard St, North Shields; m. Josephus Spence (1827-1903, draper of North St, Middlesboro’), at North Shields Friends' meeting house. | marriage digest; Annual Monitor; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775-1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
| 1858-07-25 | d. 3 Sussex Street, Middlesbrough, of phthisis certified; wife of Josephus Spence a merchant tailor; informant William Taylor present at the death, of 1 Commercial Street, Linthorpe. | death certificate; The Friend XV |
Spence page | Spence page | Family history home page | Website home page
© 2000-2009 Benjamin S. Beck