Ancestors of Mandy Willard

William SPICER (1809-1868)

and Sophia DIXON (1809-1862)

and Susan MARSH (1813-1867)

William Spicer and Sopia Dixon were my 3x Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They were married by banns on Sunday 4 October 1829 at St. Nicholas, Brighton, by the vicar H. M. Wagner.  William Spicer was a bachelor and signed his name, whilst Sophia Dickson was a spinster and made her X mark.  They were both of Brighton.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Pocock (signed) and Robert Clarke (marked).

William Spicer was baptised on Monday 19 June 1809 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He was the third son and fifth child of Richard Spicer (c1780-?) and Martha Howell (1778-1813).  He died aged 60 years and his death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1868 in the Brighton registration district.  In 1841 the family were of 7 Bunkers Hill and of 5 Bunkers Hill in 1851.  When the 1861 census was recorded the family were living at 2 Sion Gardens in Brighton and William was a 51 year old boatman.  William married twice.

Sophia Dixon was baptised on Saturday 9 June 1809 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  She was the second child and eldest daughter of Joshua Dixon (1769-1852) and Jane Smith (1783-1827).  She was a fisherwoman.  When the 1861 census was recorded she was a 51 year old fish hawkers.  Her death was registered in the third quarter 1862 in the Brighton registration district, when she would have been about 53 years old and her youngest child aged about 15.

After Sophia's death, William Spicer married Susan Taylor by banns on Tuesday 7 November 1865 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He was a widower aged 56 of 2 Sion Gardens and he signed his name.  She was a widow aged 53 of 51 Russell Street and she made her X mark.  Her father was named as William Marsh a fisherman.  The witnesses were Thomas Harman (marked) and Isabella Colbran (signed).

Previously as Susanna Marsh she married James Taylor on 29 October 1838 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  They were both of full age and both made their X marks.  James was a bachelor and fisherman of 3 Dukes Court, and the son of William Taylor, a fisherman.  Susanna was a spinster of 4 Kent Street, and her father William Marsh was also described as a fisherman.  The witnesses were John Pocock and William Shelley who both signed their names.  They were married by Thomas Cooke, curate.

Susan Marsh was baptised on 16 May 1813 in Brighton and was the daughter of William Marsh and Maria Markwick.  She died aged 55 years and her death was registered in the second quarter 1867 in the Brighton registration district.

William Spicer and Sophia Dixon had 10 known children:

1. William Spicer was born in about 1828, according to the 1841 census, so may have been born before his parents marriage.  I have not found his baptism as either a Spicer or a Dixon.  He was not living with his parents in 1851 and I have not been able to identify him in the 1881 British census.

   (There were 2 other William Spicers born about 1828 in Brighton.  In 1851 a 23 year old William Spicer, born Brighton, was living with wife Catherine aged 24 and born Southwick, at 28 Kensington Place, Brighton.  This William was a Carpenter and the son of Ashby Spicer (1788-?) who was also a Carpenter and Esther Kent (c1790-?).  He had been baptised on 10 February 1828 and married Catherine Godley on 17 June 1849.)

2. John Joshua Spicer was baptised on 3 October 1830 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He died in 1877 aged 46 years and his death was registered in the third quarter in the Brighton registration district.  In 1851 he was an unmarried fisherman living with his parents.  When the 1861 census was recorded he was a 31 year old fisherman living with his wife and 3 children at 27 Sun Street, Brighton.  In 1871, John, his wife and daughter were living at 24 Nelson Place in Brighton and he was still a fisherman.  Caroline was then a monthly nurse.  Also with them on census night in 1871 was 39 year old lodger Luke Breach who was an unmarried groom.

   John married Caroline before 1854.

   Caroline was born in Brighton and may have died aged 47 years in 1872.  Her age was recorded as 40 years in the 1861 census and 45 in the 1871.

   John and Caroline had 3 known children:

   1. Lucy Spicer was baptised on 27 February 1854 in Brighton.  The 1861 census records that she was a 10 year old scholar.  The 1871 census records that she was a 17 year old servant.  Lucy married William Joseph Packham on 3 October 1876 at St. John's in Brighton.  He was born about 1852 and was the son of William John Packham.

   2. John Joshua Spicer was baptised on 14 October 1857 in Brighton.  He was 5 years old in 1861.

      John married Louisa Baker by banns on 21 January 1878 at St. Peter, Brighton.  At the time he was a bachelor aged 23 and fisherman.  Louisa was a 29 year old widow, and the daughter of William Belville a boiler maker.  They were both of 20 Washington Street, Brighton and both signed their names.  The witnesses to the marriage were William Shelley and Lucy Upton who also both signed their names.  They were married by R. E. H. Raines, curate.

      A Louisa Bellville was baptised on 17 August 1845 at St. Peter, Brighton as the daughter of William Bellville (c1815-?) and Elizabeth (c1816-?) - therefore, she was 32 when she married John who would have been about 20/21.  When the 1851 census was recorded she was 6 years old and living with her parents at 18 Cavendish Place North in Brighton.  Her father was then a railway labourer.

      In 1881 John, aged 25, a coal labourer and Louisa, aged 30, a laundress, were still at 20 Washington Street, along with 2 children by Louisa's first marriage and twin sons of their own.  Louisa had previously married Albert Baker in 1867.

   3. Elizabeth Jane Spicer was baptised on 5 May 1858 in Brighton.  She was a 3 year old scholar when the 1861 census was recorded.

3. Henry Spicer was baptised on 23 September 1832 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At the time of his baptism the family were living in Russell Street.  He was not living with his parents in 1851.  Did he marry Louisa Burchell in 1851?  (I think this is likely, but need to see their marriage certificate for the name of his father.)  Or perhaps Grace Harris Geary/Hornsbury in 1851?  (Again, I haven't seen their marriage certificate for Henry's father's name.)  Or even Rosetta Rusbridge before 1862?  Another Henry Spicer was also born in 1832 and another Henry Spicer was born in 1836.

4. Sophia Spicer was baptised on 20 April 1834 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At the time of her baptism the family were of Bunkers Hill.  In 1851 she was an unmarried laundress living with her parents.

   Sophia married Martin Luther Mills by banns on 20 July 1852 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At the time Martin was a 21 year bachelor and mariner of 30 Artillery Street and was able to sign his name.  Sophia was an 18 year old spinster of 5 Bunkers Hill and made her X mark.  The witnesses were S. W. Tugwell and Sarah Honduras Mills who both signed their names.  (Witness Sarah was Martin's half-sister who was baptised in 1833.)  They were married by C. E. Douglas, curate.

   Martin and Sophia had 1 known daughter:

   1.  Sophia Jane Mills was baptised on 25 February 1853 at St. Nicholas, Brighton. 

   When the 1861 census was recorded Sophia was a 26 year old married laundry woman living or staying with her parents on census night.  Her name was entered last, beneath her younger siblings, in the census entry and her husband was not at the same address.  Sophia died before 1877 as on 26 March 1877 Martin married Rhoda Emily Tugwell by banns at St. Peter, Brighton.  They were both then of 12a Marine Square, Brighton and both able to sign their names.  Martin was a 46 year old widower and mariner, and Rhoda a 25 year old widow.  The witnesses were William Richardson (mark) and Ellen E. West (signed).  They were married by Henry Beverly, curate.  At both marriages Martin's father was named as John Smart Mills, who in 1852 was an accountant and in 1877 he a deceased bailiff.  Rhoda's father was named as Thomas Rooke a farmer.  In 1881 Martin and Rhoda were living in Bolney, Sussex in the household of his brother-in-law police constable Joseph Elphick (1840-?).  Martin died aged 62 years in 1893.

5. George Spicer was baptised on 5 June 1836 at St. Nicholas, Brighton and buried there on 2 December 1836.  He died of small pox and at the time was of Bunkers Hill, West Street.

6. Richard Spicer was baptised on 31 December 1837 at St. Nicholas, Brighton, when his family were living at Bunkers Hill.  He died before the 1891 census was recorded.

   Richard married Matilda Burrows on 9 May 1867 in London.  She was born about 1842 in Eye, Suffolk and was the daughter of William Burrows.  In 1871 the couple and their young daughter were living in Pavilion Road, Chelsea and Richard was with the 1st Life Guards.  When the 1881 census was recorded the family were living at 39 Hadley Street in London and Richard was a 43 year old carpenter's labourer.  In 1891 Matilda was a 49 year old widow living at 17 St. Gabriel Street, Newington, London along with her daughter Margaret.

   Richard and Matilda had 5 known children:

   1. Sophia Spicer was born in 1869 in Surrey.  When the 1871 census was recorded she was 3 years old..  She was a 13 year old scholar at the time of the 1881 census  She married Albert Sperry.  He was born about 1852.

   2. William Spicer was born on 2 April 1871 in Chelsea, London.  He died in 1943 in Morden, London.  He was a 10 year old scholar in 1881.  William married Louisa Blott in 1890.  She was born on 29 December 1870 in London and died in 1973.  She was the daughter of Martin Blott (1848-?) and Louisa Winter (1849-?).

   3. Anthony Spicer was born in 1877.  He was 4 years old when the 1881 census was recorded.

   4. Margaret E. Wickford Spicer was born about 1878.  She was 13 years old when the 1891 census was recorded.

   5. Harry Spicer was born in 1879.  In 1881 he was 2 years old.

7. Ashby Spicer was baptised on 4 June 1840 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  The death of an Ashby Spicer age 54 years was registered in the fourth quarter of 1895 in the Steyning registration district.

   Ashby married Catherine Sargant by banns on 17 February 1861 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At the time he was a 20 year old bachelor and baker of 33 Cheapside, London, and he was able to sign his name.  Catherine was a 21 year old spinster of 8 Henry Street, Brighton and made her X mark.  The witnesses to the marriage were William Pelling and Caroline Sargant who both signed their names.  They were married by W. W. Godden, curate. Catherine was the daughter of John Sargant.  When the 1881 census was recorded, 40 year old Ashby was a baker living in Preston, Sussex along with wife Catherine aged 40 and 2 children:

   1.  Sarah Spicer born about 1869 in Brighton.

   2. George Spicer born about 1871 in Brighton. 

   I have not found Ashby and Catherine in the 1901 census index.  Catherine was baptised on 13 October 1839 in Brighton and was the daughter of John Sargant and Sarah Holden.  At the time of her marriage her father John was a Policeman.

8. Jane Spicer, my 2x Great Grandmother, was baptised on 3 July 1842 in Brighton.  She married John Simmons Back (1843-1898) in 1864.  (They have their own page.)

9. George Spicer was baptised on 3 November 1844 at St. Nicholas, Brighton, when the family were again at Bunkers Hill.  He was living with his parents in 1851.  In 1861 he was a 14 year old fisherman living at home.  I have not found him in the 1881 census.  He may have married Sarah Sargent on 25 December 1866 at St. Nicholas in Brighton.  He was then 22 years old and gave his father's names as William Spicer.  Sarah was 21 years old and the daughter of George Sargent.

10. Thomas Spicer was born at Bunkers Hill and baptised on 16 May 1847 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.

    Thomas married Mary Jane Suter by banns on 2 December 1867 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At the time he was aged 23, a bachelor and a fisherman, and signed his name.  Mary Jane was also 23 years old, a spinster and made her X mark.  They were both of 23 Cavendish Street.  The witnesses were John Simmons Back (signed) and Sarah Ann Sayers (mark).  (Witness John had married Thomas's sister Jane in 1864.)  They were married by J. A. Colbeck, curate.  (A Sarah Spicer married John Grant in 1808 and they were at one time living at 22 Cavendish Street.)

    In 1881 Thomas was described as a boatman and was living at 4 West Street Court in Brighton along with wife Mary Jane and 69 year old widowed mother-in-law, Grace Suter.  Mary Jane may have died before 1901, as when the census was recorded 56 year old Thomas a sea waterman was living alone in Brighton.

    Mary Jane was baptised on 7 September 1847 at St. Nicholas, Brighton and was the daughter of Frank Souter (or Francis Souter when he married) and Grace Grinyer.  Frank was a bricklayer in 1847 but by 1867 he was a mariner.  (Note, Thomas and Mary Ann's ages at marriage should have been 20.  Have I misread their ages or were they wrongly recorded?  Need to double check!)

1841 census - ?ook's Row, Broadwater, Sussex (HO107/1085/2, folio 45, page 18)

Elizabeth Nye, 30, Shoe Binder, born in Sussex

Henry Nye, 7, born in Sussex

Harriettt Nye, 3, born in Sussex

William Bevilles, 25, Blacksmith, born in Sussex

1851 census - 18 Cavendish Pl. North, Brighton, Sussex (HO107/1645, folio 967, page 6)

William Belville, Head, Mar, 32, Railway Labr, born Sussex Worthing

Elizabeth Belville, Wife, Mar, 35, born Sussex Worthing

Elizabeth Belville, Daur, U, 16, born Sussex Worthing

Henry Belville, Son, 14, Labourers boy, born Sussex Pulboro

Harriett Belville, Daur, 12, born Sussex Worthing

Rebecca Belville, Daur, 10, born Sussex Worthing

Kate Belville, Daur, 8, born Sussex Worthing

Louisa Belville, Daur, 6, born Sussex Brighton

George Belville, Son, 4, born Sussex Brighton

Matilda Belville, Daur, 15 months, born Sussex Brighton

Henry Nye married Elizabeth Nash by banns on 11 November 1833 in Broadwater, Sussex.  They were both then of Broadwater.  Henry and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Henry Nye was baptised on 4 October 1835 in Pulborough.

2. Harriet Nye

3. Rebecca Jane Nye was born in 1841 and died in 1881, aged 40.  She was a midwife.  Rebecca Jane married George Bond of Brighton.  They had the following daughter:

   1. Maria Ellen Bond was born in February 1872 and died in 1964.  (Many thanks to Denise Payne for passing on details about Rebecca and her husband and daughter.)

William Belville and Elizabeth Nye married in the second quarter of 1854 in the Brighton registration district.

DIXON          MARSH          SPICER