Fones Spencer

Notes:

Fones Spencer's will mentions his wife as Dorcas. The will, dated 16 Mar 1845 EG, was proved 31 May 1856 EG. The will mentions two sons and six daughters.

There is a marriage record for Fones & Sarah Spencer, but I can't find when Sarah died or when he married Dorcas.

Fones Spencer is mentioned as a grandson in the will of Daniel Fones.

Fones married Sarah Anne Spencer 14 Nov 1790, East Greenwich, Kent Co., RI. Sarah (daughter of Benjamin Spencer and Mercy Unknown) was born 6 Nov 1765, East Greenwich, Kent Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

SPENCER Fones, of Michael, and Sarah Spencer, of Benjamin, deceased, both of East Greenwich, at said Greenwich, Nov. 14, 1790.

Fones married Dorcas Unknown Bef 1845. Dorcas was born 1783; died 13 Dec 1854; was buried , Spencer-Briggs Lot, Stone Ridge Dr., East Greenwich, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Michael and Martha were of East Greenwich, according to the will of Daniel Fones, dated 8 Apr 1790.

He may have been a son of John & Lydia (needs more research to confirm).

Michael married Martha Fones Bef 8 Apr 1790. Martha (daughter of Daniel Fones and Mercy Unknown) was born Abt 11 Jan 1747/48, North Kingstown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Was this a first marriage for her?
FONES Martha, and Daniel ------; m. by George Thomas, Justice of Peace; recorded ----. --, 1768, North Kingstown.

John married Lydia Gardiner 7 May 1730, East Greenwich, Kent Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Spencer John, of Michael, of East Greenwich, and Lydia Gardiner, of Nicholas, of North Kingstown; m. by William Spencer, Justice, May 7, 1730. East Greenwich

Notes:

Some family trees have Daniel's wife as Mercy Remington.

See notes for Daniel's grandfather John.

From the book "The Correspondence of the Colonial Governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775" (Google Books), p 329, "Fones was an enterprising sea captain who represented North Kingstown in the General Assembly. He was sent to Cape Breton with the Connecticut transports, in command of the Rhode Island colony sloop, Tartar, and there distinguished himself by intercepting at Famme Goose Bay a force of 1200 French and Indians, who were advancing from Annapolis to the relief of Louisburg. This was two days before the surrender of the fortress."

From the book Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Vol 3 p 94 (pub 1980 by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, ed Anne Borden Harding): "He m. Mercy ----- perhaps 1743 - 1747. The identity of his wife, the birth place and dates of his children is [sic] not known . . . From 1744 to 1747 he commanded the RI colony sloop Tartar . . . he is referred to as mariner in his will."

The will of Capt. Daniel Fones of North Kingstown, dated 8 Apr 1790 and proved 9 Aug 1790, mentions son Daniel dec'd leaving widow Mary; daughters Mary w/o Edward Yorke of East Falmouth, Nova Scotia; Martha w/o Michael Spencer of East Greenwich, and their son Fones Spencer; granddaughter Margaret w/o William Helme; grandchildren -- children of Mary and probably dec'd son Daniel -- Cynthia, Christopher, Constant, Mary, Dutee, and Daniel.

Daniel married Mercy Unknown Abt 1733. Mercy was born Abt 1715; died Bef 8 Apr 1790. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

It appears that Daniel's wife is still living in the 1782 RI census:
1782 RI Census at North Kingstown, RI
Daniel Fones: Males - 2<16, 1 50+; Females - 1<16, 1 22<50, 1 50+

Some family trees have suggested that her name was Mercy Remington.

I have used Mercy as her first name because that is given in Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Vol 3 p 94 (pub 1980 by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, ed Anne Borden Harding): "He m. Mercy ----- perhaps 1743 - 1747. The identity of his wife, the birth place and dates of his children is [sic] not known."

Notes:

I have estimated the birthdates for Jeremiah's children.

His will mentions wife Martha; sons Joseph, John, Daniel (under 21), Samuel, & Thomas; and daughter Margaret Davis, dec'd; also grandon John Davis.

Jeremiah married Martha West 9 Nov 1710, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI. Martha (daughter of Francis WEST, Sr. and Susanna SOULE) was born Abt 1676, MA or RI; died 2 Dec 1764; was buried , Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Rt. 102, Exeter, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

As a widow, Martha lived with her brother Francis West (Jr.), probably after the death of her first husband.

Notes:

FONES Jeremiah, and Martha; m. by John Eldred, Warden, Nov. --, 1710.