Edward Spicer (bef. 1670 - aft. 1696)

Born before 1670 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England

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Biography

Edward would appear to have been the eldest living son in 1670 as in the Court Baron for the manor that year he is named as the heir. The document also names his mother Anne, who died later that year.

In 1697 all the lands that had been gifted to him appear to have been returned to his father (note that the 1692 court roll has not survived, we only know of this from the 1697 document). Did he want to do something other than run the mill and the farms? It seems the most likely reason. But we have no idea what he did instead.

In his fathers will, and the 1697 court baron, Ralph (born 1674) is clearly the main heir. However we know Edward is still alive, as his father gives him a token 5 shillings in his will.

Tthere are no local marriage or burial records to tell us anything else about this Edward, so presumably he never married (but see Research Notes).

Transcript of 1697 Court Baron

[1] The jury present, Henry Hoare, a customary tenant of this manor, witnessed a certain [2] surrender to a certain John Bigg, gentleman, another customary tenant of the said manor, and the aforenamed Henry Hoare out of the court [3] on the 14th day of September, 1692 AD, through which Edward Spicer Junior, [4] son and heir apparent of Edward Spicer Senior, of the parish of Chipping Wycombe in the county of Buckinghamshire, papermaker, [5] a customary tenant of the manor, surrendered into the hands of the Lord of the Manor through the hands of the said John Bigg and Henry [6] Hoare according to the customs of the manor all of his customary messuages or tenements with the appurtenances called or known [7] by the name of Flockwells in which Stephen Hearne then until recently lived. And also all of the four [8] farms of arable land therafter to be considered together containing by estimation 26 acres, more or less. [9] And also a parcel of land called Barton’s Dell near or adjacent to land called Mans lands [10] containing by estimation 4 acres, more or less. And the reversion and inheritance of all the said messuages and [11] lands expected after the death of the said Edward Spicer Senior. And also all of the customary messuages, tenements [12] and hereditaments which the said Edward Spicer Junior by what or in which he had himself some status in possession or [13] reversion in all and singular by law the members and appurtenances held at the said manor for the use of the said Edward Spicer Senior and [14] his heirs and assigns forever according to the customs of the manor and the jury last present that the aforesaid Edward [15] Spicer Senior at the time of the said surrender was aware of the said messuage of lands, tenements and premises for the term [16] of his natural life and further the said jury being present and the said Henry Hoare before the full court testified [17] that a certain surrender was made to him and the said John Bigg out of the court, that is to say on the 22nd day of September [18] 1693 AD through which the said Edward Spicer Senior surrendered into the hands of the Lord of the said manor [19] through the hands of the said John Bigg and Henry Hoare, according to the customs of the manor, the said customary messuage [20] or tenement with appurtenances, called Flockwells and the said four farms of land thereafter to be considered together containing [21] 26 acres more or less and the aforesaid parcel of land called Barton’s Dell, containing by estimation 4 [22] acres more or less and all of the customary messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments whatsoever [23] ipms the said Edward Spicer Senior To the work and use of such a person and his heirs for and by such statutes as the said Edward [24] Spicer Sen by his last will and testament in writing subscribed by him in the presence of three or more credible witnesses [25] to limit, to declare or to appoint. And the last jury presented that the said Edward Spicer Sen was dead and [26] made testimony and his last will in writing. And in that way Ralph Spicer, son of the said Edward Spicer Senior, came to court and brought forward [27] in the court this testament and last will of the said Edward Spicer Senior signed and bearing the date 10 February 1695 AD subscribed by him [28] in the presence of four credible witnesses by whom this testament was made the said Edward Spicer gave and distributed the said messuages, [29] lands, tenements and premises to the said Ralph Spicer his heirs and assigns under the condition in edom clear testimony. Which [30] Ralph Spicer, present in Court, seeks to be admitted to the said premises with appurtenances, which the Lord through his steward [31] agreed thereafter by the rod to have and to hold the said premises with appurtenances the said Ralph Spicer his heirs and assigns in perpetuity [32] on the said conditions with the will of the Lord, according to the custom of the manor by rent, services and customs thereafter he will pay by law [33] and custom and he paid the Lord in agreement for that place £11 and made a pledge to the Lord and thereafter was admitted [34] tenant under the aforesaid conditions.

Sources

• CC 207531 Court roll of Bassetsbury Manor in High Wycombe: court baron. 30 March 1670, St Georges Chapel Archives, Windsor Castle
• Edward's will (father), PCC, 1696
• CC 207542 Court roll of Bassetsbury Manor in High Wycombe: court baron. 21 October 1697, St Georges Chapel Archives, Windsor Castle

Research Notes

An Edward Spicer had 6 children from 1713, in Hedgerley (1st) & Beaconsfield (the others 5) with Sarah. However it seems very likely that it is a different Edward Spicer not connected to the papermaking family, as this Edward would have been at least 43 by the time of the first child. But it is just possible it is the same person (my, John Spicer born 1960, great grandfather spent his inheritance and then married at a similar age, had 5 kids in 5 years and promptly dropped dead, so it's not unheard of in the family!)