Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Richard SPICER (c1780/1-1858)

and Martha HOWELL (1778-1813)

Richard Spicer and Martha Howell were my 4x Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They married by banns on 23 March 1802 at the parish church of St. Nicholas in Brighton, Sussex.  Richard was a bachelor and Martha a spinster and they were both of Brighton.  Richard signed his name and Martha made her X mark.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Howell who signed his name, Sibb Howell who made her X mark and William Breen who was probably the parish clerk.

Richard Spicer's date and place of birth/baptism are unknown, to me, but possibly about 1780/1 in the Brighton area.  He was most probably the son of Richard Spicer (1751-1811) and Ann Terry (1753-1830).  Richard was a fisherman, as were earlier Spicers of Brighton.  The death of a Richard Spicer was registered in the fourth quarter of 1858 in Brighton (I will order the certificate in the New Year).  When the 1861 census was recorded, Richard and Martha's granddaughter, Mary Ann Gunn, nee Christmas was living with her unmarried 86 year old aunt Mary Spicer, and she was the daughter of Richard Spicer and Ann Terry.  Therefore, I am reasonably confident that Richard born circa 1780/1 was the son of Richard senior and Ann.

Martha Howell was baptised on 28 November 1778 in Brighton.  She was the daughter of John Howell (1751-?) and Sybil Westmore (c1751-1814).  She died aged 33 years, according to the burial register, at West Street and was buried on 10 May 1813 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  Her son Henry was baptised 6 days after her burial, but he was then of a different address.  Before her marriage Martha had an illegitimate daughter.

I believe that after Martha's death, Richard set up home with Mary Parker, nee Norman, and that they married in the fourth quarter of 1854 in Brighton.  The 1851 census records that 69 year old Richard Spicer and his 62 year old wife Mary Spicer were living at 3 Clarence Yard in Brighton and Richard was a fisherman - Mary's place of birth was given as Hurst, Sussex.  Going back to the 1841 census, Richard was then said to be a 60 year old fisherman and Mary was 52.  Also living with Richard and Mary in 1841 was 30 year old James Spicer, 27 year old Fanny Spicer and 4 Spicer children aged under 5 - I am assuming James married Fanny, rather than they being siblings.  As you will see from below, Richard and Martha did not have a son named James born circa 1810 and there were no gaps in the baptisms of their children into which he would fit.  Therefore, I assumed James, or Fanny, was a child of Mary and that their surname of Spicer was wrongly recorded in the census.  When the 1851 census was recorded Richard and Mary had a 3 year old grandson living with them and his name was William Parker and he was most probably baptised on 4 June 1848 in Brighton, the son of James Parker and Frances.  Therefore, James and Fanny were Parker rather than Spicer.  They had married by banns as James Parker and Frances Harriott on 10 April 1836 at St. Michael in Lewes, Sussex.  He was a bachelor and she a spinster and they were both of the parish of St. Michael.

James Parker was baptised on 20 October 1811 in Brighton and was the son of John Parker and Mary.  John Parker married Mary Norman on 12 June 1809 in Preston, Sussex.  John was then a stillman at the Star and Garter in Brighton.  Mary Norman was baptised in November 1788 in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex and was the daughter of John Norman and Philadelphia Dean who had married on 7 May 1782 in Hurstpierpoint.

Martha Howell and unknown had 1 known daughter:

1. Martha Howell was born on 27 October 1798 and baptised on 29 October 1798 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.

   Martha married William Burchell by banns on 9 December 1816 in Brighton.  He was then a bachelor and she a spinster and they were both of Brighton.

   William was born about 1790 in Brighton, according to the census.  Might he have been baptised on 23 October 1792 at St. Nicholas, Brighton and have been the son of Henry Burchell and Ann Humphrey?  William was a carpenter.  He was probably a witness to the marriage of Richard Spicer and Sophia Rich in 1829.  When the 1841 census was recorded the family were living at Bankside, St. Saviours, Southwark, Surrey and in 1851 they were at 51 Gravel Lane, St. Saviours, Southwark.

   William and Martha had 8 known children:

   1. Henry Burchell was baptised on 23 August 1818 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.

   2. William Burchell was born about 1821 in Brighton.

   3. Martha Burchell was baptised on 19 January 1825 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.

   4. Hannah Burchell was baptised on 8 February 1829 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  Hannah married Alfred Mandeville in the first quarter of 1851 in the St. Saviours registration district.

   5. Elizabeth Burchell was born on 18 April 1831 and baptised on 19 June 1831 at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel in London Road, Brighton.

   6. Louisa Burchell was born on 2 October 1832 and baptised on 28 October 1832 at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel in London Road, Brighton.  At the time of the 1851 census she was 18 years old and the only one of her siblings living at home.

      Louisa married Henry Spicer in the second quarter of 1851 in the Lambeth registration district.  (I'm not sure which Henry married Louisa.  Need to see their marriage certificate for his father's name.)

      When the 1861 census was recorded the couple and 3 children were living at 13 Chester Street in Greenwich.  The couple were then both aged 28 and Henry was a police constable.  In 1871 the family were living within the parish of Christchurch in Southwark.  Henry was then a labourer in an iron works.  The 1881 census records Henry Spicer aged 49 and born in Brighton, was living in Southwark, Surrey as an Artesian Well Borer, along with wife Laura and sons Richard aged 15 and Ashby aged 11. 

      Henry and Louisa had 6 known children:

      1. Henry Spicer was born in 1854 in Southwark.  He was 7 years old in 1861.  In 1871 he was a 17 year old apprentice in an iron plate works.

      2. Louisa Spicer was born in 1856 in Lambeth.  She was 5 years old in 1861.  In 1871 she was a 15 year old hair net maker.

      3. Martha Spicer was born about 1859 in East Greenwich, Kent.  She was 2 years old in 1861.

      4. William Spicer was born in 1864 in Lambeth.  He was  7 year old scholar in 1871.

      5. Richard Spicer was born in 1867 in Lambeth.  He was a 4 year old scholar in 1871.

      6. Ashby Spicer was born in 1870 in the parish of St. Saviours and died in 1940.  At the time of 1871 census he was a year old.  Ashby married Rose Walker.

   7. Matilda Burchell was born on 14 April 1835 and baptised on 31 May 1835 at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel in London Road, Brighton.

   8. Emily Burchell was born on 17 March 1837 and baptised on 23 April 1837 at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel in North Street, Brighton.

Richard Spicer and Martha Howell had 7 known children:

1. Ann Spicer was born on 9 August 1802 and baptised on 29 August 1802 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.

   Ann married Jesse Christmas on 25 December 1822 at St. Nicholas.

   When the 1851 census was recorded Ann was a 48 year old widow living at 7 West A Court, Brighton, along with 73 year old Mary Spicer and 6 year old granddaughter Emily Gunn.

   Jesse and Ann had 3 known children:

   1. Mary Ann Christmas was baptised on 8 June 1823 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At the time of the 1841 census, 20 year old Mary Christmas was the head of her household and they were living at 6 West A Court in Brighton.  Mary was then an ironer.  Next door at 7 West A Court was 60 year old Mary Spicer who was a nurse and living with her were 35 year old William Evans, Harriet Evans aged 26, 8 year old Alfred Evans and Frances Evans aged 6.

      As Mary Ann Spicer, daughter of Jesse Spicer, she married Nathaniel Gunn on 10 June 1843 at St. Nicholas in Brighton.  He was the son of Nathainel Gunn.

      When the 1841 census was recorded, 29 year old Nathaniel Gun was living next door to Mary at 5 West A Court and he was a fishmonger.  Also with him on census night were 9 year old Alfred Gun, 7 year old Albert Gun and Edwin Gun aged 4.  In 1851 Nathaniel, Mary Ann and their 2 children were living at 63 Great Russell Street, Brighton and Nathaniel was a waterman.

      Mary Ann was a 39 year old widow by the time of the 1861 census and she was living at 57 Russell Street, Brighton, along with her 4 children, niece Ann Jefery aged 15, 86 year old aunt Mary Spicer and lodger William Guthrie who was a 31 year old ostler.  Living next door at 58 Russell Street, were 57 year old Richard Spicer and his 56 year old wife Sophia.

      Nathaniel and Mary Ann had the following children:

      1. Emily Gunn was born about 1845-9 in Brighton.  When the 1861 census was recorded she was a 12 year old scholar.  Emily married William Henry Hollingdale in 1867.  He died before the recording of the 1881 census.

      2. William Gunn was born about 1845-51 in Brighton.  In 1851 he was 6 years old.  He was a 10 year old scholar in 1861.

      3. Frank Gunn was born about 1850 in Brighton.  He was 6 months old when the 1851 census was recorded.  In 1861 he was an 8 year old scholar.

      4. Elizabeth Gunn was born about 1855 in Brighton.  She was a 6 year old scholar in 1861.

   2. Harriet Christmas was baptised on 15 March 1829 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  She was 13 years old in 1841 and living with her elder sister.  Harriet married Richard Harman in the third quarter of 1845 in Brighton.  When the 1851 census was recorded the couple were living 5 Suters Gardens, Brighton.  Richard was then a 29 year old bather and Harriet a 26 year old needlewoman.  They had the following children:

      1. Harriett Ann Harman was born about 1846 in Brighton.  She was a 5 year old scholar in 1851.

      2. Emma Harman was born about 1848 in Brighton.  She was a 3 year old scholar in 1851.

      3. Elizabeth Harman was born in 1851 in Brighton.  She was 2 months old when the 1851 census was recorded.

   3. Elizabeth Christmas was baptised on 25 September 1831 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  She was 10 years old in 1841 and living with her elder sisters.

2. Richard Spicer was baptised on 11 January 1804 in Brighton.  He married Sophia Rich in 1827.  (They have their own page.)

3. John Spicer was baptised on 17 February 1806 in Brighton.  He died in 1888 aged 83 years and his death was registered in the third quarter in the Brighton registration district.  He was a fisherman and waterman.

   John married Elizabeth Goddard by banns on 26 May 1833 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He was a bachelor and signed his name.  She was a spinster and made her X mark.  They were both of Brighton.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Goddard (marked) and John Pocock (signed).

   Elizabeth Goddard was baptised on 27 January 1811 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Dorset Gardens, Brighton and was the daughter of John Goddard and Elizabeth Tettersell (1782-?).  She died before the 1881 census was recorded.

   When the 1841 census was recorded the couple and 3 sons were living at Cumberland Place in Brighton along with Elizabeth's parents.  By 1851 they were living at 26 Cumberland Place along with 69 year old widow Elizabeth Goddard.

   John and Elizabeth had 5 known children:

   1. John Spicer was baptised on 14 September 1834 in Brighton, at which time the family were of Derby Place and his father was a fisherman.  John was not living with his parents and siblings when the 1851 census was recorded.

   2. Richard Spicer was baptised on 23 October 1836 in Brighton, at which time the family were of Derby Place and his father was a fisherman.  When the 1851 census was recorded he was an errand boy.

      Richard married Susan Rogers in the fourth quarter of 1862 in Brighton.

      Susanna was baptised on 5 February 1843 in Brighton and was the daughter of George Rogers and Cordelia Lower.

      The 1881 census records that Richard was a 43 year old fisherman living at 6 Paradise Cottages along with wife Susannah and 6 children.  He was still a fisherman in 1901.  Susannah may have died before the 1901 census was recorded.

      Richard and Susannah had 7 known children:

      1. Richard Spicer was born about 1865 in Brighton.

      2. Susanna Spicer was baptised on 1 July 1866 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  She was not with her parents and siblings when the 1881 census was recorded.

      3. Jane Spicer was baptised on 7 September 1868 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.

      4. John Spicer was born about 1871 in Brighton.

      5. George Spicer was born about 1876 in Brighton.

      6. Elizabeth Spicer was baptised on 12 June 1878 at St. Peter, Brighton.

      7. Matilda Spicer was born about 1880 in Brighton.

   3. Gabriel Spicer was baptised on 5 May 1839 in Brighton, at which time the family were of Derby Place and his father was a fisherman.  He died aged 53 years in 1893.

      Gabriel married Mary Ann Taylor on 29 January 1865 in Brighton.  He was then a 26 year old bachelor and fishmonger of 28 Derby Place, Brighton.  His father was named as John Spicer a fisherman.  Mary Ann was a 27 year old spinster of 5 Little East Street.  Her father's name was omitted from the certificate.  The witnesses were John Shelley and Mary Shelley.

      Gabriel and Mary Ann had 7 known children:

      1. Mary Ann Spicer was baptised on 1 May 1866 in Brighton.

      2. Elizabeth Spicer was baptised on 19 May 1867 in Brighton.

      3. Susannah Spicer was baptised on 4 April 1869 in Brighton.

      4. Gabriel Spicer was born about 1873/4 in Brighton.

      5. John Spicer was born about 1877/6 in Brighton.  He married Alice Webb.

      6. Caroline Spicer was born about 1878 in Brighton.

      7. Alfred Spicer was born about 1880 in Brighton.

   4. Elizabeth Spicer was baptised on 26 July 1846 in Brighton, at which time the family were of Cumberland Place and her father was a waterman.  She married Robert Warren on 18 March 1865 in Brighton.  She was then aged 18 years and he was 19.  Robert was the son of Henry Warren.

   5. Mary Spicer was born about 1851 in Brighton.  She married William Worger on 3 December 1870 in Brighton.  She was then aged 18 years and he was 24.  William was the son of William Worger.

4. Elizabeth Spicer was baptised on 11 September 1807 in Brighton.  She died on 11 January 1879 at the workhouse in Brighton.

   Elizabeth married James Measor Mockford on 27 March 1831 in Brighton.

   James was born in 1798 in Brighton and was the son of John Mockford (1765-1812) and Elizabeth Chapman.  James died in Brighton in 1865.

   James and Elizabeth had the following children:

   1. James Measor Mockford was born in 1832 in Brighton and died there in 1876.  He married Annie Wiltshire on 19 November 1861 at St. Nicholas in Brighton.  She was born about 1835 and was the daughter of Abraham Wiltshire.

   2. Sarah Mockford was born in 1834 in Brighton.

   3. Mary Ann Mockford was born in 1837 in Brighton.

   4. Richard Mockford was born in 1839 in Brighton.  He died at 17 Vine Street, Brighton on 1 April 1870.  He married Hannah Maria Butcher on 25 December 1860 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  She was born about 1834 in Brighton and was the daughter of John Butcher.

   5. Martha Measor Mockford was born in 1843 in Brighton and died there in 1848.

   6. Henry Mockford was born in 1845 in Brighton and died in 1832.  He married Alice Guy in 1918.  She was born about 1849 and died in 1927.  Alice was the daughter of Joseph Guy.

   7. Ellen Hannah Mockford was born and died in 1846 in Brighton.

   (Many thanks to Catherine Wickens for details about the family of James and Elizabeth.  Please visit her web site:  Mockford One Name Study.)

5. William Spicer, my 3x Great Grandfather, was baptised on 19 June 1809 in Brighton.  He married Sophia Dixon in 1829.  (They have their own page.)

6. Mary Spicer was baptised on 24 February 1811 in Brighton.  She married William Heather on 17 July 1834 in Brighton.  The couple had 1 known child:

   1. Mary Ann Heather was baptised on 3 August 1834 in Brighton.

7. Henry Spicer was baptised on 16 May 1813 in Brighton and buried there on 19 September 1813.  At the time of his baptism the family were living at Kent Street, but at his burial he was of Union Street, which was where his Grandmother Sibb Howell died in 1814.  The baptism register records that his father was a fisherman.

Census Transcripts

1841 - 56 Middle Street, Brighton, Sussex (HO107/1122/4, folio 17, page 27)

Richard Spicer, 60, Fisherman, born Sussex

Mary Spicer, 52, born Sussex

James Spicer, 30, Fisherman, born Sussex

Fanny Spicer, 27, F. Servant, born Sussex

John Spicer, 5, born Sussex

James Spicer, 3, born Sussex

continued on next page

??atter Spicer (male), 1, born Sussex

Edward Spicer, 4 months, born Sussex

1841 - Bankside, St. Saviours, Southwark, Surrey(HO107/12, folio 12)

William Burchell, 45, Carpenter, not born Surrey

Martha Burchell, 45, not born Surrey

Martha Burchell, 15, not born Surrey

Hannah Burchell, 12, not born Surrey

Louisa Burchell, 8, not born Surrey

?emly Burchell, 4, not born Surrey

1851 - 3 Clarence Yard, Brighton, Sussex

Richard Spicer, Head, Mar, 69, Fisherman, born Sussex, Brighton

Mary Spicer, Wife, Mar, 62, born Sussex, Hurst

William Parker, Grandson, 3, born Sussex, Brighton

1851 - 5 Suters Gardens, Brighton, Sussex (HO107/1646, folio 144, page 44)

Richard Harman, Head, Mar, 29, Bather, born Sussex, Brighton

Harriett Harman, Wife, 26, Needlewoman, born Sussex, Brighton

Harriett Ann Harman, Daur, 5, Scholar, bron Sussex, Brighton

Emma Harman, Daur, 3, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton

Elizabeth Harman, Daur, 2mo, born Sussex, Brighton

1851 - 63 Great Russell Street, Brighton, Sussex (HO107/1646, folio 183, page 23)

Nathaniel Gunn, Head, Mar, 40, Waterman, born Sussex, Brighton

Mary Ann Gunn, Wife, Mar, 30, Charwoman, born Sussex, Brighton

William Gunn, Son, 6, born Sussex, Brighton

Frank Gunn, Son, 6mo,born Sussex, Brighton

Nathaniel Gunn, Head, Mar, 68, Waterman, Sussex, Brighton

Mary Gunn, Wife, Mar, 44, Cook, born Sussex, Hurst

1851 - 4 Regents Court, Brighton, Sussex (HO107/1646, folio 536, page 18)

James Parker, Head, Mar, 39, Fisherman, born Sussex, Brighton

Fanny Parker, Wife, Mar, 36, born Sussex, Brighton

John Parker, Son, 14, Errand Boy, born Sussex, Brighton

James Parker, Son, 12, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton

Edward Parker, Son, 10, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton

George Parker, Son, 8, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton

Thomas Parker, Son, 6, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton

Fanny Parker, Daur, 1, born Sussex, Brighton

1851 - 51 Gravel Lane, St. Saviour, Southwark, Surrey (HO107/1558, folio 518, page 81)

William Burchell, Head, Mar, 61, Carpenter, born Sussex, Brighton

Martha Barchell, Wife, Mar, 55, born Sussex, Brighton

Louisa Burchell, Daur, U, 18, born Sussex, Brighton

1861 - 6 William Place, St. George, Southwark, Surrey (RG9/334, folio 38, page 23)

William Burchell, Head, Mar, 72, House Carpenter, born Sussex, Brighton

Martha Burchell, Wife, Mar, 64, born Sussex, Brighton

continued on next page

Robert Hillman, Son in law, Mar, 29, House Painter, born Sussex, Brighton

Emily Hillman, Dau in law, 24, born Sussex, Brighton

Robert Hillman, Grandson, 6, Scholar, born Surrey, Newington

Martha Hillman, Granddaur 3, Scholar, born Surrey, St. George

next entry on the page at 7 William Place

William Burchell, Head, Mar, 40, Tailor, born Sussex, Brighton

Maria Burchell, Wife, Mar, 36, born Wiltshire, Bedwin

Hennie M. Burchell, Daur, 6, Scholar, born Surrey, Southwark

William Burchell, Son, 5, Scholar, born Middlesex, St. Luke

James Burchell, Son, 3, Scholar, born Surrey, Lambeth

Alfred Burchell, Son, 1mo, born Surrey, Lambeth

Joshua Roberts, Son in law, 15, Servant, bron Middlesex, St. Clements

1861 - 101 Reid Street, St. George, Southwark (RG9/328, folio 48, page 32)

Alfred Mandeville, Head, Mar, 34, Rope Maker, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Robert Mandeville, Brother, Mar 31, Rope Maker, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Helen Mandeville, Sister, Mar, 27, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Hannah Mandeville, Daur, 11, Scholar, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Amelia Mandeville, Daur, 9, Scholar, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Helen Mandeville, Daur, 7, Scholar, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Edwin Mandeville, Son, 4, Scholar, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Robert Mandeville, Son, 8, Scholar, born Surrey, St. George, Southwark

Martha Burchell, Mother, Mar, 63, born Sussex, Brighton

HOWELL          SPICER