Thomas SPOONER

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Thomas Spooner remained in Plymouth. He was a shoemaker by trade, and conducted this business many years, accumulating a competency by his own labor and that of those who were in his employ.

He was a man of more than the average ability having received a good education for the times; he turned this advantage in a good direction, not solely to his own aggrandizement, but to that end which would accomplish the most good for his townsmen. Soon his ability and his high integrity gave him recognition and placed him in responsible official station, and for many years he served the town in one office or another.

He was Lieutenant of the North Foot Company, under command of Capt. Isaac Lothrop, Jr., in the 1st regiment of militia in the county of Plymouth, whereof James Warren was Colonel.

Like others of this branch of the family, Thomas was a member of Plymouth church, and he often served upon its committees and in its offices.

His remains were interred on "Burial Hill" by the side of his father.

Thomas married Sarah NELSON on 12 Dec 1717. Sarah was born on 5 May 1695; died on 25 Jan 1767. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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In early manhood he settled in Middleboro, where he married Mary Morton, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. In 1769 his daughter, Phebe Spooner, married Andrew Oliver, a son of the celebrated Chief Justice Oliver; and Ebenezer's family thus became connected with some of the first families of Massachusetts.

In Ebenezer's life and character we note a feature which, as it does not seem to have been possessed by any other member of the family, entitles him to be spoken of apart from others. So far as is known, he was the only one of the family who did not side with the colonists in their struggle for independence. And not only this, but he was a pronounced Tory and Loyalist, and, from the first mutterings of discontent in 1765, until, 1776, he was forced to flee his home. Ebenezer was a consistent and strenuous opponent of everything but entire obedience to the British government. Driven from his family and possessions by the strength of public sentiment, he sought refuge within the British lines in Boston. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the third Company of "American Loyal Associates," under the command of Brigadier-General Timothy Ruggles. Embarking with the British army at the time of the evacuation of Boston (March 17, 1776), he fell ill (whether from the effect of a wound or disease is not known), and died soon after.

Family/Spouse: Mary MORTON. Mary (daughter of Ebenezer MORTON and Mercy FOSTER) was born on 29 Apr 1723; died on 12 Jul 1803. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]