Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Benjamin Spencer


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Benjamin Spencer and 27 of his descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Benjamin Spencer,1 born ____ (parents not determined). Benjamin married, 21 February 1773, Mary Sweet1 (born 4 July 1852 in North Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, the daughter of Elnathan Sweet and Abiah Jenkins;1 Mary died 3 December 1815 in Kingsbury, Washington County, New York1).

Children of Benjamin Spencer and Mary Sweet:

+2i. Henry Spencer, born 3 July 1774 in Beekman, Dutchess County, New York; died 13 August 1853 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York. Married (1) Anne Gazlay Married (2) Hannah Morgan Married (3) Betsey Freeman (née Chesebrough) Married (4) Judith W. Folger.
+3ii. Amy Spencer, Married Seth Thomas.
+4iii. Elnathan Spencer, born 10 May 1778; died 4 May 1834 in New York, New York. Married Anne Ludlow.
+5iv. Lydia Spencer, born 1 September 1781; died 13 March 1837 in Hamburg, Erie County, New York. Married Joseph Vorce.

  1. Boards at Ancestry.com; Posts by Linda Matteson and John Austin, 5-9 November 1999, regarding Spencer family members, primarily spouses and children of Henry Spencer (1774-1853). The posts include various birth, marriage and death dates and places, plus a few notes pointing out differences between between their respective data. One post provides information on Ambrose Spencer’s children from Spencer family bible pages.
Second Generation
2. Henry Spencer2 (Benjamin1), born 3 July 1774 in Beekman, Dutchess County, New York;1, 2, 3 died 13 August 1853 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York.2, 3 Henry married, first, 11 January 1796 in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, New York, Anne Gazlay2, 3, 6 (born 27 January 1776 in Edmeston, Otsego County, New York, the daughter of John Gazlay and Sarah Furman; (she may be the daughter named Nancy in Rev. Sayrs Gazlay's statement to Theodore Gazlay);2, 4, 5 Anne died 24 February 18132, 5). Henry married, second, 2 September 1813 in New York, Hannah Morgan2, 3 (born 25 January 1774, parents not determined;2 Hannah died 30 January 18182). Henry married, third, 5 April 1821, Betsey Freeman (née Chesebrough) 2, 3 (born 9 May 1777 in Stonington, New London County, Connecticut, the daughter of Pelog Chesebrough and Rebecca Barber;2, 3 Betsey died 7 February 1841 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York2, 3). Henry married, fourth, 21 September 1842, Judith W. Folger2 (born ca. 1791 in Saratoga County, New York, parents not determined1, 2, 7).

Henry Spencer came to Glens Falls by 1800 and was an innkeeper and holder of public office. He was the first sheriff of Warren County, New York.2


Children of Henry Spencer and Anne Gazlay:

 6i. Benjamin Spencer, born 7 December 1796 in Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York.3
+7ii. Sarah Spencer, born 5 September 1798 in Kingsbury, Washington County, New York. Married William Boyce.
+8iii. John Gazlay Spencer, born 19 July 1800 in Queensbury, Warren County, New York; died 11 January 1864 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Married Lucy _____.
+9iv. Charles Spencer, born 21 August 1802 in New York; died 12 September 1877 in Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan. Married (1) Mary Crampton Married (2) Electa M. Norton (née Culver) .
+10v. Ann Eliza Spencer, born 2 September 1804. Married William Mott.
+11vi. Ambrose Spencer, born 24 September 1806 in Queensbury, Warren County, New York; died 11 December 1872 in Albany, Albany County, New York. Married Harriet Stackhouse.
 12vii. Albert Spencer, born 2 May 1808 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York;3 died 21 September 1819 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York.3
+13viii. Mary Spencer, born 28 February 1811 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York. Married Harvey Grandy.

Children of Henry Spencer and Hannah Morgan:

+14i. Henry Spencer, Jr., born 10 July 1814. Married Sarah Cool.
 15ii. George Spencer, born 24 March 1816.3

3. Amy Spencer2 (Benjamin1). Amy married Seth Thomas2 (born ____, parents not determined).

4. Elnathan Spencer2 (Benjamin1), born 10 May 1778;2 died 4 May 1834 in New York, New York.2 Elnathan married Anne Ludlow2 (born ____, parents not determined).

5. Lydia Spencer2 (Benjamin1), born 1 September 1781;2 died 13 March 1837 in Hamburg, Erie County, New York.2 Lydia married Joseph Vorce2 (born ____, parents not determined).

  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Warren County, Glens Falls Village, Page No. 52, family of Henry Spencer (76, New York); Judith W. Spencer (59, New York); Mary Fuller (14, New York).
  2. Boards at Ancestry.com; Posts by Linda Matteson and John Austin, 5-9 November 1999, regarding Spencer family members, primarily spouses and children of Henry Spencer (1774-1853). The posts include various birth, marriage and death dates and places, plus a few notes pointing out differences between between their respective data. One post provides information on Ambrose Spencer’s children from Spencer family bible pages.
  3. Genealogy, Rootsweb (website), Chesebro’ Genealogy. Some sources are cited.
  4. Genealogy of the Gazlay Family, collated by Theodore Gazlay, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1890; unpublished. Transcription available at Gazlay Family History (website).
  5. The Gazlay Family in America, with sections titled “Ten Generations of American Gazlays” for several branches of the Gazlay family. Document is marked on one page, “From Gerard Gazlay, Jr. Jan. 1980.” Unpublished, nine unnumbered pages. Photocopy in possession of Lee Gazlay.
  6. New York Marriages 1686-1980, available at familysearch.org. Henry Spencer and Mary Gazeley, married 11 January 1796 in Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Valley, Dutchess [County], New York. She is also identified as Anne Gazlay in other records for the same marriage date, place, and husband.
  7. New York State Census, 1855, Warren County, Queensbury, Page 60, Judith Spencer (64, Saratoga [County], widow).
Third Generation
7. Sarah Spencer3 (Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 5 September 1798 in Kingsbury, Washington County, New York.1 Sarah married William Boyce2 (born ____, parents not determined).

8. John Gazlay Spencer3 (Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 19 July 1800 in Queensbury, Warren County, New York;1, 3, 4 died 11 January 1864 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.5, 6, 7 John married Lucy _____ (born ca. 1810 in New York, parents not determined4). John is buried in Brighton Village Cemetery, Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan.6

John was born in Queensbury, Warren County, New York, and moved in the mid-1830s to Michigan, settling in Brighton, Livingston County. He was among the original purchasers of land in Brighton Township in September 1838. He is sometimes listed as Gayley Spencer in Livingston County records. John was an officer in Brighton Lodge No. 42, Masons, when it was chartered on 9 January 1851. He was one of the firs trustees of Methodist Episcopal Church of Brighton, formally organized in 1854. John married his wife, Lucy, apparently between 1850 (he is living alone at the time of the 1850 Census) and 1856 (when his wife is found in records as Mrs. Lucy Spencer).7

He enlisted in Company G, 11th Michigan Cavalry, on 25 November 1863, for three years. His age is listed as 40 in Civil War records but he was believed to actually be 63 when he enlisted. He was mustered in as a private on 3 December 1863. His company left Kalamazoo on 17 December, 1863 in a blinding snow storm, and arrived in Lexington, Kentucky on 22 December. On 1 January 1964, his regiment had only green wood to burn, and with the thermometer at eight degrees below zero, many of the men went to bed to keep from freezing. The regiment was armed, equipped, mounted and drilled until April 1864, when it was sent to Louisa, Kentucky. Details of John Spencer’s death on either 11 or 12 January 1864 have not been found, but could be attributed to either the harsh conditions or possibly in action during one of his company’s few skirmishes with Confederate troops during that period. Civil War records indicate he was buried in Lexington, Kentucky, but he was apparently re-interred in Brighton Village Cemetery where both old and new headstones mark his grave.5, 8

Lucy was a teacher in the public schools of Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan, in 1856 and 1857.7


9. Charles Spencer3 (Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 21 August 1802 in New York;9, 10, 11 died 12 September 1877 in Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan.12 Charles married, first, 10 July 1836 in Livingston County, Michigan, Mary Crampton13 (born ca. 1806 in New York, parents not determined9, 10). Charles married, second, 11 March 1863 in Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan, Electa M. Norton (née Culver) 15 (born 31 March 1805 in Massachusetts, parents not determined;11, 14 Electa died 22 October 188914). Electa is buried in Brighton Village Cemetery, Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan.14

Charles was born in New York, probably in Queensbury, Warren County, where others in his family were born. He moved to Michigan in the mid-1830s, settling in Brighton, Livingston County. He was among the original purchasers of land in Brighton in March 1836. On July 10th of the same year, he married Mary Crampton. Around 1843, Charles was a co-founder, with David Thompson, of the Global Iron Works, later known as Thompson & Spencer, the first foundry in Livingston County. Charles was an officer in Brighton Lodge No. 42, Masons, when it was chartered on 9 January 1851. He died on 12 September 1877 in Brighton.7


Children of Charles Spencer and Mary Crampton:

 16i. Francis Spencer, born ca. 1833 in Michigan.9, 11
 17ii. Helen H. Spencer, born ca. 1840 in Michigan.10
 18iii. Eliza A. Spencer, born ca. 1843 in Michigan.9, 10
 19iv. Sarah Spencer, born ca. 1847 in Michigan.9, 10
 20v. Charles Spencer, born ca. 1849 in Michigan.9, 10
 21vi. Emma Spencer, born ca. 1851 in Michigan.10
 22vii. John Spencer, born ca. 1853 in Michigan.10
 23viii. Lucy Spencer, born ca. 1856 in Michigan.10

10. Ann Eliza Spencer3 (Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 2 September 1804.1 Ann married William Mott2 (born ____, parents not determined).

11. Ambrose Spencer3 (Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 24 September 1806 in Queensbury, Warren County, New York;1, 2, 16, 17, 18, 19 died 11 December 1872 in Albany, Albany County, New York.1, 2, 16 Ambrose married, 14 November 1833, Harriet Stackhouse2 (born ca. 1814 in New York, parents not determined;2, 17, 18, 19 Harriet died 9 October 18722, 20). Ambrose and Harriet are buried in Glens Falls Cemetery, Glens Falls, Warren County, New York.16, 20

Children of Ambrose Spencer and Harriet Stackhouse:

 24i. William Henry Spencer, born 20 June 1835;2 died 4 April 1841.2
 25ii. Emma Spencer, born 6 September 1837;2 died 12 April 1841.2
 26iii. Julia Spencer, born 21 May 1840;2 died 6 April 1841.2
 27iv. Ambrose W. Spencer, born 28 August 1844;2 died 20 February 1846.2, 21 Ambrose is buried in Glens Falls Cemetery, Glens Falls, Warren County, New York.21
+28v. Edgar Thurman Spencer, born 1 December 1847 in New York; died 23 March 1923. Married Janet Mackinnon.

13. Mary Spencer3 (Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 28 February 1811 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York.1 Mary married Harvey Grandy2 (born ____, parents not determined).

14. Henry Spencer, Jr.3 (Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 10 July 1814.1 Henry married Sarah Cool2 (born ____, parents not determined).

  1. Genealogy, Rootsweb (website), Chesebro’ Genealogy. Some sources are cited.
  2. Boards at Ancestry.com; Posts by Linda Matteson and John Austin, 5-9 November 1999, regarding Spencer family members, primarily spouses and children of Henry Spencer (1774-1853). The posts include various birth, marriage and death dates and places, plus a few notes pointing out differences between between their respective data. One post provides information on Ambrose Spencer’s children from Spencer family bible pages.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, Michigan, Livingston County, Township of Brighton, Page 818, John G. Spencer (45, N.Y., merchant) [his age here is believed to be low by 4-5 years compared to other records]); he is living with several other families and individuals with surnames Fish, Plisz, Case, and Moon).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, Michigan, Livingston County, Brighton, Page No. 128, family of John G. Spencer (59, N. York); Lucy Spencer (50, N. York).
  5. Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War 1861-1865, compiled by George H. Turner, assistant adjutant general. Ihling Bros. & Everard, Stationers, Printers and publishers, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1900. Digitized by Google. Available at Archives of Michigan.
  6. Find a Grave (website). Brighton Village Cemetery, Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan; John G. Spencer: John G. Spencer / Died / In the service of his country / At Lexington Ky / Jan. 11, 1861 [?] [probably 4 but worn to appear as 1] / Aged 63 Yrs. [from headstone] [A new, modern headstone next to this headstone reads: John G. Spencer / Pvt Co G / 11 Mich Cav / 1823 / Jan 12 1864. The death dates apparently differ by one day; The meaning of the date 1823 is not known, as his age of 63 on the older headstone agrees with other records.]
  7. History of Livingston County, Michigan; Philadelphia: Everts & Abbott, 1880. Various references to Charles Spencer, John G. Spencer, and Lucy Spencer, in Brighton Township and the Village of Brighton.
  8. Pages from the 27th Reunion Booklet for the Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, Benton Harbor, Michigan, Sept. 11-12, 1912. Available at www.debwong.com.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, Michigan, Livingston County, Township of Brighton, Page 408, family of Chas. Spencer (48, N.Y., merchant); Mary Spencer (34, N.Y.); Francis Spencer (17, Mich.); Wm. Spencer (10, Mich.); Elia Spencer (7, Mich.); Sarah Spencer (4, Mich.); Albert Spencer (2, Mich.); Smith Henry (25, N.Y., carpenter); Marilla Henry (16, N.Y.). [This is believed to be the same family as in the 1860 census, but there are several inconsistencies: Mary’s age; Wm. vs. Helen; Albert vs. Charles].
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, Michigan, Livingston County, Brighton, Page No. 133, family of Charles Spencer (57, N. York, farmer); Mary Spencer (54, N. York); Helen H. Spencer (20, Mich.); Eliza A. Spencer (17, Mich.); Sarah Spencer (13, Mich.); Charles Spencer (11, Mich.); Emma Spencer (9, Mich.); John Spencer (7, Mich.); Lucy Spencer (4, Mich.).
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Michigan, Livingston County, Brighton, Page No. 20, family of Charles Spencer (64, New York, dentist); Electa A. Spencer (63, Mass.); Frank Spencer (34, Michigan, dentist); Nellie Spencer (13, Michigan).
  12. Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897; Charles Spencer, died: 12 September 1877 in Brighton, Livingston, Michigan; age 75 years, 22 days; occupation: dentist. [Constructed birth date: 21 August 1802.]
  13. Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1935, Livingston County, Marriage Certificates, 1836-1849, Charles Spencer and Mary Crampton, 10 July 1836.
  14. Find a Grave (website). Brighton Village Cemetery, Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan; Charles S. Norton and Electa M. Norton: Chas. S. / Norton / Died / Dec. 9, 1858 / Aged / 52y. 8m. 1d. / Electa M. / His Wife / Died / Oct. 22, 1889 / Aged / 84ys. 6ms. 22ds. [from headstone; constructed birth dates: Charles: 8 April 1806; Electa: 31 March 1805].
  15. Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995; Charles Spencer and Electa M. Norton, 11 March 1863 in Livingston [County], Michigan.
  16. Find a Grave (website). Glens Falls Cemetery, Glens Falls, Warren County, New York, Ambrose Spencer, born: 24 September 1806 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York [another source indicates he was born in Queensbury in the same county]; died: 11 December 1872 in Albany, Albany County, New York (from record, which provides the name and link for one child).
  17. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Westchester County, Ossining, Page 11, family of Ambrose Spencer (44, N York, harness maker); Harriet Spencer (36, N York); Edgard Spencer (2, N York).
  18. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Westchester County, Village of Sing Sing, Town of Ossining, Page No. 72, family of Ambrose Spencer (54, N.Y., keeper at prison); Harriet Spencer (45, N.Y.); Edgar Spencer (12, N.Y.).
  19. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Warren County, Queensbury, Page No. 135, family of Ambrose Spencer (63, N.Y., harness maker); Harriet Spencer (55, N.Y.); Edgar Spencer (22, N.Y., printer).
  20. Find a Grave (website). Glens Falls Cemetery, Glens Falls, Warren County, New York, Harriet Spencer, born: unknown; died: 9 October 1872 (from record).
  21. Find a Grave (website). Glens Falls Cemetery, Glens Falls, Warren County, New York, Ambrose W. Spencer, born: unknown; died: 2 February 1846 [another source indicates he died on the 20th] (from record).
Fourth Generation
28. Edgar Thurman Spencer4 (Ambrose,3 Henry,2 Benjamin1), born 1 December 1847 in New York;1, 2, 3, 4 died 23 March 1923.4 Edgar married Janet Mackinnon4 (born 15 September 1850 in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York, parents not determined4).

  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Westchester County, Ossining, Page 11, family of Ambrose Spencer (44, N York, harness maker); Harriet Spencer (36, N York); Edgard Spencer (2, N York).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Westchester County, Village of Sing Sing, Town of Ossining, Page No. 72, family of Ambrose Spencer (54, N.Y., keeper at prison); Harriet Spencer (45, N.Y.); Edgar Spencer (12, N.Y.).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Warren County, Queensbury, Page No. 135, family of Ambrose Spencer (63, N.Y., harness maker); Harriet Spencer (55, N.Y.); Edgar Spencer (22, N.Y., printer).
  4. Boards at Ancestry.com; Posts by Linda Matteson and John Austin, 5-9 November 1999, regarding Spencer family members, primarily spouses and children of Henry Spencer (1774-1853). The posts include various birth, marriage and death dates and places, plus a few notes pointing out differences between between their respective data. One post provides information on Ambrose Spencer’s children from Spencer family bible pages.