John Spencer (c1638-1684)

Code: 2

Lineage: Michael-1, Gerard-A, Michael-B, John-C

John SPENCER was born about 1638 in Lynne, Essex Co, MA to Michael SPENCER and Isabel _____. This relationship is based more on guesswork than evidence but most researchers tend to agree that John was Michael's (1611) son.

John moved to East Greenwich, Kent Co, RI.

In 1664, John SPENCER married Susannah GRIFFIN in East Greenwich, Kent Co, RI. They had the following children:

• John (1666)
• Michael (1668)
• Benjamin (1670)
• William (1672)
• Robert (1674)
• Abner (1676)
• Thomas (1679)
• Susannah (1681)
• Peleg (1683)

John was a captain during King Philip's War in 1675-1676. King Philip's War took place throughout MA, CT, RI and NH when Metacom (King Philip) decided the Indians should push back (a simplified telling of this story, if there ever was one). Metacom was the son of the Indian chief who made peace with the Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock and sat down to the now legendary first Thanksgiving.

Only about 1,000 colonial militia are said to have taken part in this war, which was really more like a series of raids than a formal war. The Indians rarely made a stand, making the British effort to subdue them difficult at best.

Exactly what part John SPENCER played in this war is unclear. He did, however, earn a part in 5,000 acres set aside for 48 men in the area that became East Greenwich for services rendered [GREENE:p10].