Elisha Spencer is one of the direct relatives of our family that I am currently trying to find more information on. He was born 227 years ago today on 11 June 1785 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. He was married to Elizabeth Wagner (or Wagoner) on 9 November 1806 in Huntingdon County.
Some others have done some research on him, and there is apparently a family Bible record that is out there that has those dates of birth and marriage. Here is the reference that I found to it, on Bill Reque's Gedcom on Rootsweb.com
I was also able to find a little more information on Elisha in a book, pertaining to when he moved to Ohio.
History of Noble County, Ohio
L.H. Watkins
pgs: 315, 320, 363
The following is a list of the holders of real estate in Olive Township in 1820, taken from the Morgan County tax duplicate for that year: ...Israel Spencer...Elisha Spencer...
Israel Spencer and his brother Elisha, William Waggoner and Michael Shriver were early settlers in the same neighborhood. The Spencers came from Pennsylvania. Israel carried on distilling for some years. Elisha moved west. William Waggoner died here about 1830. Michael Shriver operated a still. Whisky making was one of the most profitable of the early industries, and many engaged in it. In 1830 five distilleries are known to have been in operation in the township, the two already mentioned and those of Israel Blake, Isaac Devore and William Free. Nehemiah Spear soon afterward engaged in the same business.
Elisha Spencer settled south of Sharon, on land now owned by Mrs. Kelly. His brother Israel lived in Olive Township. Both sold out and removed.
From the research of others, it looks like Elisha's parents were James Spencer and Elizabeth Shirley, and they had at least 5 children. Elisha's older brother was Israel, and I'm currently researching him in an effort to find more info on their parents and the rest of the family.
There is a grave for an Israel Spencer on Find-A-Grave.com, but I need to take some more time to confirm if it's the right Israel. I kinda don't think that it is the right one.
Well, I'll just have to try and do some more research. If you have any info or can point me in the direction of some good sources, please shoot me a message!
I came across your blog on a random Google search, and I have to say, very interesting info! I'm a descendant of Israel & Elisha's brother, Zachariah. If you were unaware, I believe others have found that William Waggoner was married to their sister, Elizabeth Spencer. Part of the family went west to Ohio, as you know, while two of the brothers (Zachariah and William) remained in Woodbury, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania until moving to Indiana county around 1815-1818.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that's the correct Israel, though . . .James Spencer and Elizabeth Shirley were from Maryland and Israel's appearance in the 1850 U.S. census indicates he was born in Pennsylvania.