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Spencer Edwards (abt. 1816 - 1893)

Spencer Edwards
Born about in Mashpee, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United Statesmap
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 29 Mar 1849 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United Statesmap
Father of
Died at about age 77 in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United Statesmap
Problems/Questions Profile manager: Cheri Ryals-Hallisey private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 8 Feb 2023
This page has been accessed 40 times.


Contents

Biography

Spencer was Mashpee Wampanoag.
US Black Heritage Project
Spencer Edwards is a part of US Black heritage.
This profile is part of the Edwards Name Study.

Spencer Edwards was born between 1813 and 1820, based on his recorded age in various census records and his death record.

Spencer, son of Spencer & Mercy, died (age 80) in 1893 in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. [1]

Spencer (19) married, first, Miss Mary York in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States on April 22, 1836. [2][3]

The couple had the two children:

  • Esther C. Edwards, age 24 in 1862, born about 1838. [4][5]
  • Marey Edwards, age 22 in 1862, born about 1840. [6]

Spencer (32) married, second, Ophelia (Henson) Boyer (33) (born on February 13, 1816 in Mashpee; daughter of Anthony Henson Jr.) on March 29, 1849 in Sandwich, Barnstable[7] She was the daughter of Anthony and Salley Hinson.

The couple had the following children:

  • Mercy A Edwards was born on 26 October 1849 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts. [8][9][10]
  • Sarah A Edwards was born on 30 April 1851 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts. [11][12][13]
  • Betsey E Edwards was born on 10 March 1855 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts.[14][15][16]
  • William H Edwards was born on 6 May 1857 in Mashpee, Barnstable, Massachusetts.[17][18][19]
  • Albert F Edwards was born on 26 January 1859 in Sandwich. [20][21][22]

Spencer Edwards and his family were members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, as recorded in:

  • 1849 Briggs Report, age 30[23]
  • 1861 Earle Report, age 41.[24]

United States Federal and State Census enumerations

In the 1855 census Spencer (age 35, black) was recorded as in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. [25]

In the 1860 census Spencer (age 43, Indian, Mariner, landowner) was recorded in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. .[26]

In 1862, Spencer Edwards, 44yo., his wife Ophelia, 48yo., and 9 children are recorded as a household in the Mashpee, Barnstable, Massachusetts Census.

  • Children of Spencer and Mary [York] -- Esther C, 24yo., Marey, 22yo;
  • Children of John [Henry Boyer] and Ophelia [Hinson] -- Henry Boyer, 22yo. and James Boyer, 18yo;
  • Children of Spencer and Ophelia -- Marianna, 12yo., Sarah A. 11yo., Betsey E. 6yo., William H. 5yo., Albert H. 3yo.

The entry above Spencer's is for his mother, Mercey Edwards, 73yo. No parents are listed for Mercey.[27]

In the 1865 census Spencer (age 53, mulatto, laborer) was recorded as the married head of household in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. [28]

In the 1870 census Spencer (age 60, mulatto) was recorded as the married head of household in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. His father was born outside the United States. Spencer could read, but not write, and had the right to vote. [29]

In the 1880 census Spencer (age 54, black, laborer) was recorded as the married head of household in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. He and his mother were born in Massachusetts and his father was born in Rhode Island. [30]

Land and Death

The land records from Mashpee include two deeds for Spencer Edwards. [31][32]

Spencer Edwards, laborer, died from Cirrhosis of the Liver on Aug 26, 1893 in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts when he was 80 years, 5 months, and 13 days of age. He was born in Mashpee, Barnstable, Massachusetts to Spencer and Mercy Edwards. His father was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, and his mother was born in Mashpee.[1]

Research Notes

There were/are multiple profiles on Family Search for Spencer Edwards and Ophelia Henson and their family members. I have been consolidating Spencer's information to Spencer Edwards, [1]

The following people may need profiles:

  • Esther C Edwards
  • Marey Edwards
  • Sarah A Edwards
  • Betsey E Edwards
  • Massy Edwards
  • James Boyer
  • Mercy A Edwards
  • William H Edwards
  • Albert F Edwards
  • Mercy Am Edwards
  • James Amos
  • Miss Mary York (Spouse)

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Cheri (Hallisey) Ryals-Hallisey for creating the profile and adding the initial Biography.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Death: "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 004225004; FHL microfilm: 961509; Record number: 258; Packet letter: B
    FamilySearch Record: NWNY-QRR (accessed 28 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HT-68F3-4YY Image number 18
    Spencer Edwards death 1893 (age 80), son of Spencer & Mercy, in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  2. ↑ Marriage: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    citing Page: yrs 1803-1842 p 428; Digital film/folder number: 004934221; FHL microfilm: 775836; Image number: 448; Packet letter: P; Indexing batch: I00914-5
    FamilySearch Record: FHQ1-7Y5 (accessed 29 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RSY-HCL
    Spencer Edwards marriage to Miss Mary York on 22 Apr 1836 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  3. ↑ Marriage: "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 004934221; FHL microfilm: 775836
    FamilySearch Record: FCD9-G3T (accessed 29 February 2024)
    Spencer Edwards marriage to Miss Mary York on 22 Apr 1836 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  4. ↑ Massachusetts, Town Clerk...d Town Records, 1626-2001: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk...d Town Records, 1626-2001"
    Catalog: Births, marriages, deaths, ca. 1834-ca. 1870 [Mashpee, Massachusetts] Births, marriages, deaths, ca. 1834-ca. 1870 [Mashpee, Massachusetts]
    Image path: Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001 > Barnstable > Mashpee > Births, marriages, deaths 1834-1870 > image 37 of 49; citing Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-8979-DDH4 (accessed 29 February 2024)
  5. ↑ Birth: "Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988"
    Mashpee > Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1834-1870; Vol. 1
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 29 February 2024)
    Esther C Edwards.
  6. ↑ Massachusetts, Town Clerk...d Town Records, 1626-2001: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk...d Town Records, 1626-2001"
    Catalog: Births, marriages, deaths, ca. 1834-ca. 1870 [Mashpee, Massachusetts] Births, marriages, deaths, ca. 1834-ca. 1870 [Mashpee, Massachusetts]
    Image path: Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001 > Barnstable > Mashpee > Births, marriages, deaths 1834-1870 > image 37 of 49; citing Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-8979-DDH4 (accessed 29 February 2024)
  7. ↑ Marriage: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    citing Page: p29; Digital film/folder number: 004269925; FHL microfilm: 904580; Image number: 60; Packet letter: C; Indexing batch: I09721-0
    FamilySearch Record: Q29L-JNK1 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HY-XCP8-TL
    Spencer Edwards marriage to Ophelia Boyer on 29 Mar 1849 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  8. ↑ Birth of daughter Mercy A Edwards: "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 004035629; FHL microfilm: 1420729; Record number: 110; Packet letter: A
    FamilySearch Record: FXWH-YZQ (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HY-DH6H-ZDH Image number 00310
    Mercy A Edwards born to Spencer Edwards in 1849 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  9. ↑ Birth of daughter Mercy A Edwards: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837
    FamilySearch Record: FZQ2-BWG (accessed 27 February 2024)
    Mercy A Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 26 Oct 1849 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  10. ↑ Birth of daughter Mercy A Edwards: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    citing Page: P19, 162; Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837; Image number: 29; Packet letter: B; Indexing batch: I00882-3
    FamilySearch Record: Q29G-YZTL (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G979-HF4L
    Mercy A Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 26 Oct 1849 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  11. ↑ Birth of daughter Sarah A Edwards: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837
    FamilySearch Record: FZQ2-1D7 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    Sarah A Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 30 Apr 1851 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  12. ↑ Birth of daughter Sarah A Edwards: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    citing Page: P24, 32; Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837; Image number: 34; Packet letter: B; Indexing batch: I00882-3
    FamilySearch Record: Q29G-YXB4 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-8979-HFNN
    Sarah A Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 30 Apr 1851 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  13. ↑ Birth of daughter Sarah A Edwards: "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 004285085; FHL microfilm: 1420833; Record number: 149; Packet letter: A
    FamilySearch Record: FXC3-J53 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HY-6PM9-YNK Image number 00355
    Sarah A Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 30 Apr 1851 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  14. ↑ Birth of daughter Betsey E Edwards: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837
    FamilySearch Record: FZQL-QTB (accessed 27 February 2024)
    Betsey E Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 10 Mar 1855 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  15. ↑ Birth of daughter Betsey E Edwards: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    citing Page: P38, 26; Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837; Image number: 48; Packet letter: C; Indexing batch: I00882-3
    FamilySearch Record: Q29G-Y6MX (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L979-HXFF
    Betsey E Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 10 Mar 1855 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  16. ↑ Birth of daughter Betsey E Edwards: "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925"
    citing Page: 14; Digital film/folder number: 004023162; FHL microfilm: 1428235; Record number: 151; Packet letter: C
    FamilySearch Record: FXWS-Y46 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HT-XHB7-6TT Image number 00291
    Betsey E Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 10 Mar 1855 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  17. ↑ Birth of son William H Edwards: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 007009563; FHL microfilm: 760632
    FamilySearch Record: FZ6M-KHN (accessed 27 February 2024)
    William H Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 6 May 1857 in Mashpee, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  18. ↑ Birth of son William H Edwards: "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 004341179; FHL microfilm: 1420935; Record number: 176; Packet letter: L
    FamilySearch Record: FXCK-BC4 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HY-XX6N-6V Image number 00508
    William H Edwards born to Spencer Edwards in 1857 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  19. ↑ Birth of son William H Edwards: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    citing Page: P46, 27; Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837; Image number: 56; Packet letter: D; Indexing batch: I00882-3
    FamilySearch Record: Q29G-YJZ9 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L979-HXJM
    William H Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 6 May 1857 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  20. ↑ Birth of son Albert F Edwards: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    citing Page: P51, 7; Digital film/folder number: 007010716; FHL microfilm: 775837; Image number: 62; Packet letter: D; Indexing batch: I00882-3
    FamilySearch Record: Q29G-YJ31 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L979-HXKC
    Albert F Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 26 Jan 1859 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  21. ↑ Birth of daughter Albert F Edwards: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 004341207; FHL microfilm: 1428237
    FamilySearch Record: FZCL-DS7 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    Albert F Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 26 Jan 1859 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  22. ↑ Birth of daughter Albert F Edwards: "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925"
    citing Page: 18; Digital film/folder number: 004341207; FHL microfilm: 1428237; Record number: 607; Packet letter: A
    FamilySearch Record: FXDY-1BM (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HY-XH57-HMN Image number 00293
    Albert F Edwards born to Spencer Edwards on 26 Jan 1859 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  23. ↑ Massachusetts. Commissioners To Examine Into The Condition Of The Indians In The Commonwealth, and F. W Bird. Report of the commissioners relating to the condition of the Indians in Massachusetts. [Boston: s.n, 1849] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/04023260/. This is also known as "the Briggs Report (1849). The list of individual members of the tribes has been excerpted at https://sites.rootsweb.com/~usnatttp/wampanoag/briggsrpt1849.htm
  24. ↑ Book: Massachusetts., Report to the governor and Council, concerning the Indians of the Commonwealth, under the act of April 6, 1859. By John Milton Earle, commissioner
    Boston, W. White, printer to the state, 1861; page: 1
    HathiTrust (accessed 28 February 2024). List of Individuals also available at: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~usnatttp/wampanoag/earlerpt1861.htm
  25. ↑ 1855 Census: "Massachusetts State Census, 1855"
    citing Line: 39; Digital film/folder number: 004279387; FHL microfilm: 000953973; Image number: 374; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01764-8
    FamilySearch Record: MQ4K-DYD (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HT-DY93-CM2
    Spencer Edwards (35) in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
    1855 Census: Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts
    Name Sex Age Race
    Spencer Edwards M 35 Black
    Ophelia Edwards F 35 Black
    Ma* A Edwards F 6 Black
    Sarah Edwards F 4 Black
    Betsey Edwards F 3 Black
    Massy Edwards F 60 Black
  26. ↑ 1860 Census: "United States Census, 1860"
    citing Page: 87; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Digital film/folder number: 005170068; FHL microfilm: 803486; Image number: 93; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01733-6
    FamilySearch Record: MZH8-PCS (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9B9J-SKYQ
    Spencer Edwards (43) in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. Born in Massachusetts.
    1860 United States Federal Census: Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts
    Name Sex Age Occupation Birth Place
    Spencer Edwards M 43 Massachusetts
    Ophelia Edwards F 45 Massachusetts
    James Boyer M 15 Massachusetts
    Mercy A Edwards F 10 Massachusetts
    Sarah Edwards F 9 Massachusetts
    Betsy E Edwards F 5 Massachusetts
    William Edwards M 3 Massachusetts
    Albert Edwards M 1 Massachusetts
    Mary Edwards F 82 Massachusetts
  27. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
    1862 Mashpee Census item 1; Digital film/folder number: 007009563; FHL microfilm: 760632; Image number: 41; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: I11750-3
    FamilySearch Record: Q29G-VDXN (accessed 28 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-8979-DDH4
    Spener Edwards (age 44), son of Mercey Edwards, in Mashpee, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States.
  28. ↑ 1865 Census: "Massachusetts State Census, 1865"
    citing Line: 17; Digital film/folder number: 004286753; FHL microfilm: 0953966; Image number: 375; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01843-5
    FamilySearch Record: MQH6-YX4 (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HY-DCZ9-HFP
    Spencer Edwards (53), married head of household in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. Born in Massachusetts, United States.
    1865 Census: Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts
    Name Relation Status Sex Age Birth Place
    Spencer Edwards Head Married M 53 Massachusetts
    Ophilia Edwards Married F 49 Massachusetts
    Betsey E Edwards Single F 10 Massachusetts
    Wm Edwards Single M 8 Massachusetts
    Albert F Edwards Single M 6 Massachusetts
  29. ↑ 1870 Census: "United States Census, 1870"
    citing Page: 23; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 11; Digital film/folder number: 004269695; FHL microfilm: 000552099; Image number: 349; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01510-1
    FamilySearch Record: MDSF-4RL (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HT-62T9-KVV
    Spencer Edwards (60) head of household in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. Born in Massachusetts, United States.
    1870 United States Federal Census: Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts
    Name Sex Age Occupation Birth Place
    Spencer Edwards M 60 Massachusetts
    Ophelia Edwards F 49 Massachusetts
    Sarah A Edwards F 17 Massachusetts
    Betsy E Edwards F 14 Massachusetts
    Wm H Edwards M 13 Massachusetts
    Albert F Edwards M 10 Massachusetts
    Mercy Am Edwards F 20 Massachusetts
  30. ↑ 1880 Census: "United States Census, 1880"
    citing Volume: 1; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T9; Affiliate Line Number: 00021; Digital film/folder number: 005160780; FHL microfilm: 1254519; Image number: 100; Sheet number: 48; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: C56700-2
    FamilySearch Record: MHDT-84D (accessed 27 February 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYBD-DRZ
    Spencer Edwards (54), married, Laborer, head of household in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. Born in Massachusetts, United States.
    1880 United States Federal Census: Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts
    Name Sex Race Age Status Relation Occupation Birth Place
    Spencer Edwards M Black 54 Married Head Laborer Massachusetts
    Ophelia Edwards F Black 52 Married Wife Keeping House Massachusetts
    James Amos M Black 72 Widowed Uncle Sailor Massachusetts
  31. ↑ Deed: "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986"
    Catalog: Deeds, recopied, 1783-1870 Town of Mashpee, deeds, vol. 1-2, 1831-1870.
    Image path: Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986 > Barnstable > Town deeds 1831-1870 vol 1-2, Mashpee > image 395 of 607
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-99ZH-JHQZ (accessed 28 February 2024)
  32. ↑ Deed: "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986"
    Catalog: Deeds, recopied, 1783-1870 Town of Mashpee, deeds, vol. 1-2, 1831-1870.
    Image path: Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986 > Barnstable > Town deeds 1831-1870 vol 1-2, Mashpee > image 107 of 607
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9ZH-JCX3 (accessed 28 February 2024)




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