Thomas Spencer, Berwick Maine, A Griffin ancestor

Thomas Spencer a Griffin ancestor ------------ Albert Bailey Griffin-Abigail Varney / Paul Varney / Moses Varney-Ester Chick / Moses Chick / Thomas / Thomas Chick- Elizabeth Spencer / Thomas Spencer ---------------- Thomas Spencer was born in England. Given a number of hints in his life his birth is estimated to be in 1596. He did not leave behind any hints for his parentage. Thomas Spencer married Patience Chadbourn. Most historians think that the marriage took place in England. The Chadbourn family was from Tamworth, Warwickshire, England. The close relationship between Thomas and his father-in-law, William Chadbourn, offers a hint that he may have been from the same area. -------- The English crown sold to John Mason and his partners a land grant in what is now York County, Maine. The hope was that such men would organize the colonization of the new world. Their hope was that they could exploit the vast resources in the new world for economic gain. That partnership then hired skilled workers to travel to the new world to build water powered mills and living accommodations for the people to follow. These skilled laborers were granted land and a share of the profits in the sawmills and gristmills that they were to construct. This group built the first water powered mills in the new world. These skilled workers, including Thomas Spencer, represented the first settlers in York County Maine. ----------- Those that write of Thomas Spencer record that he came to America in 1630 on the ship Warwick. In 1633 he returned to England only to return in 1634 along with his father in law, William Chadbourn, and his group of skilled carpenters under license from John Mason. ------------- The sawmills that they build, in what is now Berwick, Maine, became the focal point of the next several generations. There are court records of legal battles between John Mason and the men he hired. The American courts ruled that Mason did not live up to the terms of the agreements and thus ownership of the mills and other improvements was granted to the men who built them. ----------- William Chadbourn build the largest house in Berwick. On his death he left the house to Thomas Spencer. It was large enough to serve as a community focal point and tavern. ---------- In Berwick Thomas and Patience raised a family of seven; William 1630, Margret 1632, Mary 1634, Susanna 1636, Humphrey 1638, Elizabeth 1640 (married Thomas Chick), Moses 1642. It is unclear whether or not some of the children were born in England. ------------ Thomas Spencer died in Berwick December 15, 1681. Patience was to follow in 1683. Thomas left behind a detailed will. In the will be reference his “Loving wife Patience”. Thomas left the bulk of his estate to his oldest son William. The will also references his daughters Susanna, Elizabeth and Mary. There is no reference to Margaret, Humphrey or Moses. ---------------- Much of what we know of Thomas Spencer can be found in; 1-The Maine Spencers. A history and Genealogy, with mention of ,many associated families. 2- The Chadbourn family in America; A genealogy. 3- Old Kittery and her families.