GED4WEB version 4.41 Spiers Henry [Male] b. 04 MAR 1720 - d. 1782
Henry Spiers is the ancestor of all the people of Prince George County,
Virginia with the last name of "SPIERS".
In New Kent County, Virginia, St. Peters Parish, there is a birth record of one
Henry Spiers. The compiler thinks this is our Henry: "Henry, son of John
Speere, born March 4, 1720 - 21."
From "Bristol Parish Registor" (probably our Henry Spiers): "John Spiers, son
of Henry and Catherine Spiers. Baptized September 5, 1743." Most likely the
first child, the others were not registered.
The church took care of elderly widows by paying someone to care for them,
apparently Henry was assigned to the widow Tatum.
"Paid to Henry Spires for the widow Tatum 600 lbs. of tobacco-1756. Ditto for
years 1752, 1753, 1754, 1755, 800 lbs. for tobacco. For the year 1757 to Henry
Spiers for widow Tatum 266 lbs. for four months." She probably died. "Henry
Spears' bill of levy twice listed 22 lbs. tobacco November 21, 1771."
Last vestry dues of Bristol Parish listed November 21, 1771 against Henry
Spires. (Henry may have become ill or died before the next listing of Vestry
dues.)
From the above records we can assume that Henry's main crop was of tobacco.
That he attended church regularly and was a trustworthy person. Most of the
Scotch people were educated; we must assume that Henry could read and write.
He must have known some arithmetic to be able to take care of the widow Tatum's
account and make out reports to the church.
Dr. J.B.S. states in his diary that Henry came from the north to Prince George
County, Virginia and is supposed to have immigrated from Scotland. After much
research, Elizabeth S. Brown and the compiler agree that the records in Bristol
Parish, New Kent County, Virginia are identical with Henry's birthdate as given
by Dr. J.B.S. in his diary. Maybe Dr. J.B.S. was considering New Kent County
as being north of Prince George County, which it is, and Henry's parents came
from Scotland. We are in no way saying this is an absolute fact because we do
not know, but we do know that the land patent given to Henry Spiers in 1744 is
our Henry. Some of the land was still in the family as late as 1928.
The following is a profile gathered from existing records on Henry Spiers by
the compiler (Mary Spiers Kennette).
Henry Spiers of Scotch ancestry, was born in New Kent County, Virginia on March
4, 1720. He was the son of John Speere. Henry married Catherine probably
around 1742 as Bristol Parish Register records show Joseph, son of Henry and
Catherine Spiers, baptized September 5, 1743. In 1744, Henry bought 100 acres
of land in Prince George County. He probably raised tobacco for commercial
purposes.
There were five children mentioned by Dr. J.B.S.: John, Rebecca, Adam, Lucy,
and Frederick. There may have been others. These children were not registered
in Bristol Parish.
The compiler has been unable to find records of John, Rebecca, or Lucy.
John, son of Henry may have married Sarah ? as shown in the Albermarle Parish
Register. "Henry born or baptized June 12, 1773, parents John and Sarah
Spiers. John is reported to have had eleven children. They seem to have
spread through Sussex, and South Hampton, Virginia and on into North Carolina.
Frederick Spiers who married Phebe Rachell on August 14, 1807 was probably
John's son. Also Adam Spiers who married Polly Clanton on July 12, 1825,
Thomas Spiers who married Jane Taylor, both South Hampton County. Senator John
Spiers of Radford, Virginia was probably of this line. A search into County
records would probably lead to names of eleven children." Notes from Elizabeth
S. Brown.
Henry Spiers lived in Prince George County, Virginia until his death. We do
not know the date of his death, but we do know that he died from a cancer on
one of his legs.
Henry is not listed as a taxpayer in 1782, neither is he listed in the first
census in 1790. He must have died before 1782.
HENRY SPIRES' PATENTED LAND IN VIRGINIA - 30TH AUGUST 1744
George the Second by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland,
King Defender of the Faith and to all to whom these precents shall come
Greetings -
Know Ye that for divers and good causes and considerations but more Especially
for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Shillings of good and lawful money
for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Revenues in this our Colony and
Dominion of Virginia We have granted and confirmed and by these presents for us
our Heirs and Successors do Give, Grant and Confirm unto Henry Spires one
certain track or parcel of land containing 100 acres, lying and being in the
County of Prince George on the North Side of the Indian Swamp and bunded as
followeth, to wit, Beginning at a corner poplar on the Reedy Branch above the
Path from Nathaniel Lee Plantation to the said Henry Spires, Thence East sixty
three poles to a corner at a Light wood knot between Point, on Thence South two
hundred and two Poles to a Corner Pine on the Water course of the Indian Swamp
Thence up the Indian Swamp as it meanders to the mouth of the Reedy branch and
Thence up the Reedy branch as it meanders to the beginning of all woods,
underwoods, swamps, waters, low grounds, meadows, Feedings and his due share of
all veins, mines, and quarries as well discovered or not discovered within the
bounds of aforesaid, and being part of the said quantity of one hundred acres
of land and the Rivers, waters and water courses there in contained together
with the Privileges of Hunting, Hawking, Fishing, Fowling and all other Profits
, Commodities and Hereditaments Whatsoever to the various use of the same or
any part thereof belonging to or in any wise appertaining to have, hold,
possess and enjoy the said Track or parcel of land all other the before Granted
Premises and every part thereof of their appurtenances unto the said Henry
Spires and to hid Heirs and Assigns forever to the duly use and behoof of him
the said Henry Spires his Heirs and Assigns forever.
To be held of us our Heirs and successors of our manor East Greenwich in the
County of Kent in free and common Lessage and not in Capite or by Knights
Service Yielding and Paying unto our Heirs and successors for every fifty acres
of land and so proportionally a lessor or greater quantity than fifty acres the
Fee Rent of one hundred shillings yearly to be paid upon the Feast of Saint
Michael the Arch angel and the Cutivting and Improving three acres part of
every fifty of the Track above mentioned within three years after the date of
these presents Provided always that if the three years of the said Fee Rent
shall at any time be in arrear and unpaid or if the said Henry Spires Heirs or
Assigns do not within the space of three years next coming after Date of these
presents cultivate and improve three acres part of every fifty of the said
above mentioned then the estate hereby granted shall leave and be utterly
Determined and thereafter it shall and may be lawful to and for us our Heirs
and Successors to grant the same lands and Premises with the Appurtnances unto
such other person or persons as we our Heirs and Successors shall think fit.
In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters Patent to be made Witness
our Trusty and beloved William Gooch Esq. our Lieutenant Governor and Commander
in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburg under the seal of our
said Colony the Thirtieth Day of August one thousand seven hundred and forty
four, In the eighteenth year of our Reign.
William Gooch
Virginia Land Patent Index Virginia State Library
Year Name Acres Page
1623-1643 Oliver Sprye 50 384
1623-1643 Oliver Sprye 300 488
1623-1643 Oliver Sprye 600 605
1666-1679 John Speirs 600 662
1679-1689 John Speeare 153 639
1679-1689 James Spier 100 416
1728-1732 Robert Spear 400 185
1728-1732 John Spear 200 460
1743-1745 Henry Spiers 100 739 Book 23
Alexander Spiers 1700 171
1752- John Spears 400 666
1761- James Spears 400 752
1762- Augustine Spears 268 187
1762-1764 John Spears 150 523
1771-1772 Robert Spiers 286 789
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Virkus, Frederick Adams. 1933. The Compendium of American Genealogy. The First
Families of America. Vol. V. The Institute of American Genealogy. Chicago,
Illinois, pg. 507.
Henry Spiers (b. 1725; his father came from Eng., ca. 1690); Henry went to Va.
from a "northern state" ca. 1740.
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