Spence family, Avondale, Lanarkshire. Help needed!

[WHS1899]

My 2x Great Grandmother was Margaret Spence b 23.11.1836. She married thomas Todd in London and as this is my direct line I have of course got the details to present day! In 1881 Margaret's sister Jeannie Spence was living with Thomas and Margaret in London as there Housekeeper. She was not with them in 1871 or 1891. On Thomas and Margaret's marraige cert one of the witnesses was James Spence, and Margaret's father was listed as David Spence, a farmer. So I knew Margaret's fathers name and two of her siblings.

Other details I have are:

Extract from Old Parish register (marraiges) for Avondale
10.7.1819 David Spence married Janet Hamilton, so that's the parents.

Extract from the Old Parish register (Births) for Stonehouse.

David Spence cattle dealer in Burnhead and Janet Hamilton his spouse had children born:
Janet 18.4.1820
Robert 12.8.1822
James 29.8.1824
David 4.10.1826
Ann 8.12.1828
William 12.12.1831
Alexander 31.8.1832
Elizabeth 12.12.1834
Margaret 23.11.1836
Jean 14.2.1841
Andrew 16.5.1843

According to Family Search David Spence was b c1794 Avondale, Lanarks and Janet Hamilton was b c1798 Avondale, Lanarks.

Eldest daughter Janet Spence 1820 married William Young and I have their details to present day, having been in touch with their descendant.

Son James Spence who was on sister Margaret's marraige cert turns up in London with his family so I have a few details on him.

Having rambled on with all of this, what I'd like to know is HOW I get back further with David Spence and wife Janet Hamilton. I know there are Scottish sites, but I can't afford to use them at the moment and have to go for any free sites. I'm also hoping somebody may have a connection with the family or have a suggestion on what I could do to get back further.

Beverley

 

[wonoona]

Hi Beverley

I have a copy of Avondale Death Records and if it is of any help, I have found a death for Janet Spence (Hamilton) 4 June 1852 Spouse of David Spence, Cattle Dealer, Interred in the 3.  There are also some more down with the name Spance which might be the same family!

Regards

Yvonne

[WHS1899]

Yvonne,
That's wonderful news, thank you so much. If there aren't too many and you have some time and it's not putting you out, I'd love to have details of the other Spence's.
Beverley

[wonoona]

Hi Beverley

Here is what I have.  Probably there is a connection between them and you will have to figure out what is what.

Proper spelling

Robert Spence died 17th June 1823 Carter, Interred in the 2
Ann Spence (Scott) died 20 Jul 1841 Spouse of John Spence, Merchant, 4

Now here are the SPANCE names

Spance, Grizel (Hamilton) died 12 Feb 1839 Spouse of David Spance, Wright, Interred in the 3
Spance, James died 23 April 1831 Son of James Spance, Weaver, in 3
Spance Jean died 8 Dec 1838 Daughter of David Spance, Cattle Dealer, 1
Spance John died 19 Oct 1838 Son of John Spance. Interred in the 3
Spance David died 14 Jan 1847 Wright, Interred in the 1
Spance, Elizabeth (Mather) died 19 Feb 1838 Spouse of Robert Spance, Late Shoemaker, Interred in the 2

Thats all I have for Avondale Parish Beverley. Hope it helps!

Regards

Yvonne

[WHS1899]

Yvonne,
Thank you so much for the burial details for Spence/Spance. I'm sure they will be a big help. I will enjoy trying to sort them out today

Just one thing, I notice it says "interred in the 1/2/3" etc. Do you know what these numbers refer to?

Thanks again Yvonne

Beverley

[wonoona]

Beverley

Yes the numbers are a mystery.  I always took it to be the breadth of the lair!  Some think maybe the number of the child! 

Here are some Spence's with only mortcloth's, of course these are earlier.

Spence  --Dec 1770  Margaret Spence in Strathaven. Mortcloths from Dec 1770 to ---          4 Shillings
Spence 24 Jun 1773 Andr. Spence in Straven's Child.                                                             1 Shilling
Spence 01 Feb 1774 Andr. Spence Weaver his wife                                                               4 Shillings
Spence 13 Sep 1781 Betty Spence relict to Jno Torrance Fleshr.                                             -------

Don't know if these are of any interest to you Beverley, but you never know further down the line you might find something!

Regards

Yvonne

[WHS1899]

Yvonne,
Thank you for the new Spence info. I know I'm probably being very dense here, but what are mortcloths?

Beverley

[wonoona]

Beverley

Not at all, if you don't ask you don't learn!

Mort Cloths are burial shrouds, many people were too poor to afford coffins in those days.  The church provided mortcloths to drape over the body on the way to the cemetery, and then they were removed for re-use!   Mortality rate was extremely high.   Very Sad.  Some people of course were so poor they could not even afford a Mort Cloth.

Mort mean death in latin!

Regards

Yvonne

[sancti]

Yvonne,
Thank you for the new Spence info. I know I'm probably being very dense here, but what are mortcloths?

Beverley

Beverley, A bit of information on the use of mort cloths

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/scotlandgenealogy/OPR%20Extracts.htm