Genealogy Timeline1650 - 16991650 Little Ice Age reaches one of three known climatic minimums (i.e. extreme cold periods). 1653 Michael SPENCER (Gerard-A, Michael-B, John-C) died at Lynn, MA 6 May 1653. 1660 Monarchy Restored -- Charles II, son of the executed King Charles I, regained the throne in 1660. He had the men who sat as judges or who carried out the execution of his father arrested. Many were put to death though some survived and were restored to their lands. For others, however, the confiscated lands and titles were handed out by the new king to those who helped him gain control of the country. Francis WEST (Francis-2, Matthew-1) was born about 1660, probably in North Kingstown or Middleboro, RI. 1664 John SPENCER (Michael-1, Gerard-A, Michael-B, John-C) married Susannah GRIFFIN (Robert-1) in 1664 at East Greenwich, Kent Co, RI. They had nine children. 1666 Last Major Outbreak of Black Death -- 1666 saw the last major outbreak of Bubonic Plague to hit Europe. Originally spread out of India in the 1300s this disease killed off about half of Europe's population by some estimates. See Epidemics & Pandemics. 1670 Theophilus WHALEY (1) married Elizabeth MILLS (John-1) between 1670 and 1675 at Old Rappahannock, VA. 1673 Matthew WEST (1), who was born in England, died about 1673 in RI. 1674 Robert SPENCER (John-2, Michael-1, Gerard-A, Michael-B, John-C) born 6 Nov 1674 at Newport or East Greenwich, RI. He was called Captain in later years. 1675 1675-1676 King Philip's War begins in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This was one of the first major conflicts with the native population in New England. Metacom (King Philip was his English name), or Metacomet, was the son of the chief who partook in the first Pilgrim Thanksgiving and he (Metacom) himself was there. The conflict grew out of the stress of expanding English settlements pushing the natives off their traditional land. General treatment of Metacom's people was poor also. Only about 1,000 English settlers served in the militia during the war but it was an important defeat for the native tribes. Capt. John SPENCER (Michael-1, Gerard-A, Michael-B, John-C) served during King Philip's War. Exactly what part he played is not known at this time. It is known he took part in the 5,000 acres set aside for 48 men from the area that became East Greenwich for services rendered. 1676 Sarah (WEST) MEAKINS (Thomas) was born about 1676, possibly in Hatfield, RI. She would marry Francis WEST (Francis-2, Matthew-1) first then a MILLARD. Mary (BECKETT) SOULE (1) died Dec 1676 at Duxbury, RI. 1679 Habeas Corpus Becomes Law -- Parliament passes law guaranteeing people protection from arbitrary arrest. George SOULE (1) died 22 Jan 1679/80 in Duxbury, RI at the prime age of 86. George had come to the colonies as a servant to Edward WINSLOW on the Mayflower. 1680 By 1680 Theophilus WHALEY had moved his family from VA to RI. Some believe this was to avoid religious persecution in the Episcopal Virginia Colony and indicate he was a Baptist. 1684 Susanna (SOULE) WEST (George-1) died about 1684 in Kings Towne, Washington Co, RI at the age of 42. 1687 Measles in Boston -- 1687 saw a measles epidemic throughout the city and surrounding countryside. 1688 The "Glorious Revolution" -- James II, who succeeded his brother Charles II to throne of England, began repealing many laws aimed at excluding Catholics and others from holding office, serving in the army, and worshiping freely. When he had a son, the Protestants in power invited James' son-in-law William of Orange to assume the throne. William agreed and James fled. So ended the potential of a Catholic Dynasty in England. 1690 Yellow Fever in New York -- Yellow Fever caused many deaths in 1690 around the area now covered by New York City. Matthew WILLIAMS (1) was born in Jan 1690 somewhere in Wales. He served 30 years in the British Army and Royal Navy before retiring to Sussex Co, NJ. In his 70s he married and had two sons though only one, Alexander, is known. The name of his wife has not been discovered as yet either. When the colonies rebelled against the Crown he took up the cause of his new home at the age of 85 and, according to his obituary in the Sussex Register in Jan 1814, served throughout the war. 1692 Salem Witch Trials -- Starting with accusations from several adolescent girls and ending with fourteen women and five men being hung for practicing witchcraft and worshiping Satan, the Salem Witch Trials have been indelibly etched upon the American experience. The accused who did not confess were imprisoned, convicted, and several were killed. Why? How could this happen? Two words, Fear and Ignorance. In the end the Governor of Massachusetts had to step in and put a stop to the whole thing. Francis WEST (Matthew-1) died 2 Jan 1692 at the age of 49. 1696 John PHILLIPS was born 27 Oct 1696 in West Greenwich, Kent Co, RI. His parents are not known at this time. 1697 Robert SPENCER (John-2, Michael-1, Gerard-A, Michael-B, John-C) married Theodosia WHALEY (Theophilus-1) 15 Jul 1697 at East Greenwich, RI. He later married Susannah BABCOCK and Martha HOPKINS nee WHALEY but there were no children from these marriages. Martha HOPKINS nee WHALEY was the younger widowed sister of Robert's first wife, Theodosia. Robert and Theodosia had the following children: Jemima (date unknown); Susanna (1698-?); Anna (1699-?); Martha (1700-1765); Ruth (1702-?); Theodosia (1703-?); Robert (1704-1736); Theophilus (1707-?); Michael (1709-1793); Johanna (1711-?); Caleb (1713-?); Nathaniel (1715-?); James (1716-?); and Samuel (1717-?). 1699 Francis WEST (Francis-2, Matthew-1) married Sarah MEAKINS (Thomas) 12 May 1699 at East Greenwich, Kent Co, RI.
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