GED4WEB version 4.41 Spiers Jesse [Male] b. 10 FEB 1785 Prince George Co, Virginia, USA - d. 03 JUN 1852
The following information is taken from the diary of Dr. J.B.S., written in
1872.
"Jesse Spiers was born in Prince George County, Virginia on February 10,
1785. He was the son of Adam Spiers and Nancy Dorman Spiers. Like his father
before him, he learned how to be a good farmer and remained a farmer all of his
life.
His education was like the other farmers around, very limited. He could
spell, read, write and had some knowledge of figures. He purchased land in
Dinwiddie County in the year 1810 and remained in the same place until he died
on June 3, 1852. He was married three times. He had children by the first two
wives and no issue by the third wife.
In 1810 he married Susannah Brown, daughter of Noah Brown. Noah Brown came
from Prince George County, Virginia and purchased land in Dinwiddie County,
Virginia in 1780 where he remained until death.
My father had a will and a judgement of his own and generally managed his
affairs as he thought best, yet he was a kind and obliging husband. He managed
his children by appeals to self-respect and by moral sanction and when these
failed, he used the rod moderately. He required of his children to be engaged
in some useful employment, all loving them, however, they had plenty of time
for recreation. Moderate and steady employment was all he required of any
under his direction or control. He never used abusive language toward any
person.
He was one of those calm quiet straightforward, always the same kind of man.
One might always know just what to expect from him. He was not one of those
men who thought it necessary to put on the garb of Christianity only on the
Sabbath, or when going to church, or when perchance he might fall in company
with ministers of the gospel or other good men; but he was one of those whp
carried the principle of Christianity with him at all times, and in all places,
in all of his primary and business transactions, as well as in spiritual
matters.
He taught the principles of Christianity to his children and others, more by
deeds than by words, yet he was quite conversant on Religious matters and
generally expressed sound, practical ideas on Christian principles and never
compromised his opinions on Religious subjects to obtain the good graces of any
one. He was perfectly firm in matters of conscience, in doing and saying what
he believed to be right. He thought it better to suffer wrong than to do
wrong.
My father was a professor of Religion for about forty five years. He was a
lay leader in the M.E. Church for about twenty years. He was one of those old
fashion lay leaders that attended to his lay meetings as well as other
meetings. It was a regular rule of his that when preaching day came, in the
week or on the Sabbath, that we had to lay aside all other business and attend
church on our regular preaching day; and I guess that he does not regret it
now, and I know that I do not, but thank God that I was brought up under such
regulations.
In conducting Religious meetings he displayed some excitement and showed
that he felt the importance of the work he was engaged in, but he never was
boisterous. His address to saint and sinner were generally of an encouraging,
persuasive character, and at the same time pressing home on the mind of the
individual that God must be just as well as merciful, and in order to obtain
his greatest blessings, certain conditions which He had laid down must be
compiled with. He never made any effort at fashionable display himself, nor
did he encourage it in others, but things necessary, usefuliness, comfort and
convenience were what he aimed at. In short, he was a man possessing a share
of good practical sense and a sound heart and acted accordingly.
Family devotions were attended to by him from my earliest recollections,
Morning and Night, his rule was, to sing a hymn and pray with his family. The
hymns that he sung, some words, that he used in prayer, and his manner of
conducting family worship, more than thirty years ago are now fresh to my
memory. He oftimes acted as peacemaker, and succeeded remarkably well in
causing difficulties to be amicably settled.
My father owned a still for making brandy, at my earliest recollection, but
when the Temperance movement came about, he sold his still and remained a
Temperance man to his death.
My father lost to a great extent the powers of his mind for some months
before he died. His last illness was long and lingering. But he recollected
the name of Jesus and could talk about his goodness when he could recollect but
little else. He died as he lived a good man, depending on God for Jesus sake
for Salvation both here and hereafter.
WAR OF 1812-1816 BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN. MUSTER ROLL OF
THE VIRGINIA MILITIA WAR 1812.
Jesse Spiers fought in the War of 1812 under Captain Thomas Belvill's company
of Virginia militia in the 83rd Regiment, Dinwiddie County under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel James Scott. Noah Brown substituted for Jesse Spiers for
six days from July 1 to the 6th of July 1813.
Jesse was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and, along with many other
soldiers, became ill with a fever. The only way he could be relieved of duty
was to have someone substitute for him. His father-in-law, Noah Brown, went to
Norfolk and substituted for him. Jesse was nursed back to health, but
unfortunately his only daughter, the baby of the family, four or five months
old, caught the fever and died.
WILL OF JESSE SPIERS, JULY 25, 1849
In the name of God Amen. I Jesse Spiers of the County of Dinwiddie, State of
Virginia being diseased in body but of sound mind and memory and recollecting
the uncertainty of all human events, do make and ordain this to be my last will
and testament in manner and form following:
Item 1. To my beloved wife Martha Spiers I leave the place whereon I now live
227 acres.
Item 2. To my sons Hezakiah Spiers and Benjamin H. Spiers I give and bequest
a bed and furniture to make their portion equal to Martha E.J.
Harwell and William A. Spiers who have received their beds.
Item 3. After all debts are paid the remainder of all my estate personal and
real, together with all my interest in the estate now in the
possession of Mrs. Lucy Wynn, I give and bequeath to my three sons
William A. Spiers, Hezakiah S. Spiers, and Benjamin H. Spiers to be
equally divided among them.
Item 4. At the death of my beloved wife Martha Spiers, I give and bequeath
all of the estate to my four children namely, William A., Hezakiah
S., Benjamin H., and Martha E.J. Harwell.
Item 5. In consequence of having given my oldest sons, Parham Spiers, Henry
D. Spiers, and Jesse Baugh Spiers their portion, I give and bequeath
each of them only five dollars ($5.00).
Item 6. I make and ordain Jesse B. Spiers to be executor of my estate.
Signed: Jesse Spiers
Witness: Robert Nunally, Charles Coker, and Austian Nunally
Land Owned by Jesse Spiers
227 Acres, home place left to Widow (Dinwiddie County, Virginia)
126 Brk Kent one track Dinwiddie County (Pelkinton, Martha)
79 Acres in Sussex known as Wheelhouse
131 Acres in Sussex called Wynnes
30 Acres bought of Mrs. Martha Oliver
148 Acres-Interest in land in possession of Mrs. Lucy Wynne
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741
Will Probated 1852
(Jesse Spiers died June 3, 1852)
Received $75.53 from Jesse B. Spiers, executor of Jesse Spiers and of Joshue
Winn estate, in full for all claims. Hezekiah S. Spiers. The same was written
and signed by Benjamin H. Spiers and William A. Spiers.
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