© 2016 David E. Spencer
The earliest direct Spencer ancestor I have discovered was my namesake and 5gt grandfather David Spencer. When he married in 1732 he was described as "of Saltersyke" and in later Parish records as "Yeoman of Saltersyke". There are well documented records of Spencers at Saltersyke a century before David so it is possible that he was a descendant of these earlier Spencer yeomen at Saltersyke. Today there are two farms at Saltersyke called "Near" and "Far" Saltersyke - I am unclear as to which of these was David's home. Saltersyke lies next to the old Colne to Skipton road east of Colne Golf Club. David's wife was Mary Bolton, also "of Saltersyke".
The two farms at Saltersyke today
Although David and were married for thirty years I have only found two children of theirs - their son Henry and their daughter Martha.
Martha married a man called James Ridehalgh. Their descendants are well documented and numerous.
Henry married Susan Pollard in 1759 at St. Bartholemew's Church in Colne. Henry died in his late thirties and left a will that in many ways seems acrimonious with regard to his wife Susan. The original will is stored at the Lancashire County record Office in Preston. Although made shortly before Henry's death in 1773 it was not proved until 1785 by which time his widow Susan had married Henry's neighbour and executor Joshua Crabtree. This ended the Spencer occupation of Saltersyke - their copyholdings were taken over by Joshua Crabtree and combined with his own land holdings.
David, the eldest child of Henry and Susan married Sally Shaw in 1783. They had three children - Henry, Martha and Richard.
John, the second son of Henry and Susan, married Betty Walker with whom he had three children - Henry, James, John and William.
Henry and Susan also had a daughter called Susan, born in 1765.
William, third son of Henry and Susan, married Mary Walker in 1790. They had two sons - Joshua and David.
James, my 3gt grandfather, the youngest son of Henry and Susan married no less than three times. The first marriage was to Ann Parkinson. They had two daughters but neither survived. James's second wife was Bella Raws. James's third wife Ann Sunderland bore him seven children but only their son William survived to adulthood.
To read about William and his descendants click here.