Capt. Adam Spence

Adam Spence, Jr. is mentioned regarding several lots in the old Snow Hill Town:
-On Apr 3 1732, Mary, Margaret and Thomas Brown sold Lot 5 in Snow Hill to Adam Spence (his father) (SoLR-AZ:022). Less than a year later, the elder Adam Spence wrote his will on Feb 13 1733 and it was proven Jan 14 1735 whereby (among other things), this lot was left to his son Adam Spence (MdW-21:266).
-On Jun 08 1748 John Martin, gentleman, sold to to Adam Spence, Thomas Miilbourn, Matthew Hopkins, all gentlemen, Lot 32, "where Presbyterian Meeting House has lately been built and now stands". (WoLR-B:078)
-On Jul 7 Jul 1760 (Lot 22) John Martin sold Lot 22 to Adam Spence - this record cites many structures in Snow Hill at the time including the Courthouse, Deep Landing, Bridge, prison, and Lots 1-5. (WoLR-E:018)

On Aug 20 1727, Adam Spence had the land tract DELIGHT surveyed for him, it was described as 202a on the seaboard side by tract on which Spence now lives called SMITHS FIRST CHOICE (Edward Smith survey), W-ward of sea side road. This land is a bit SE of the LONDONDERRY tract desbribed above.

On Sep 20 1728, Adam Spence had the 50a tract SPENCES CHANCE surveyed for him in old Somerset and received a patent in 1737.

On Nov 2 1731, Adam Spence had the 116a tract MIDDLE PLANTATION surveyed for him in old Somerset and received a patent in 1738.

On Apr 10 1735, Adam Spence had the 32a tract CONVENIENCY surveyed for him in old Somerset and received a patent in 1738.

On Jul 25 1735, Edward Vigerous [Vigras], cordwinder, et ux. Sarah Vigras sold land to Adam Spence described as 133.33a of SMITHS FIRST CHOICE and 33.33a of BENGROVE (SoLR-AZ:240). The SFC land is one the water adjacent to the north of modern-day Public Landing, MD and the MOUNT EPHRAIM tract.

On Oct 1 1742, Alexander McCullough, cordwainerm of Sussex, sold land in tract INCH to Adam Spence, planter (SoLR-X:007). Less than two years later, on Jul 20 1744, he and his wife Margaret sold the same land to Absalom Brittingham (WoLR-A:241)

On Mar 31 1743 George Pope et ux. Elizabeth Pope sold land in SHAFTBERRY to Adam Spence "on SW side of main branch of Calkers Creek" (WoLR-A:048)

On Apr 01 1743, William Robinson [Robertson] (only son of William Robinson) sold 5a of the tract SALEM to Adam Spence, "on S side of Mill Branch a little above an old mill dam." This tract is part of the NE protion of Snow Hill, MD in the modern day (WoLR-A:059).

On Jun 10 Jun 1743 Solomon Dennis et ux. Sarah Dennis sold 5a of tract FLATBERRY to Adam Spence, gentleman [as SPENCES LOT] (WoLR-A:092). This is on the NE side of Snow Hill, MD in the modern day.

On Mar 31 Mar 1749 (65 ac) from John Bratton, son of James Bratton, et ux. Rachel Bratton sold the tract PENNY STREET (200a) to Adam Spence. (WoLR-B:154). In 1783, Margaret Spence is indicated as owning the land.

On Jul 15 1750, Adam Spence had the 928a tract DOVER surveyed for him in Worcester and received a patent in 1752. This tract in modern day (2024) is about two miles inland from Public Landing along the road to that place.

On Mar 07 1751 (NS) Wilson Bratton, wheelwright, executor of LW&T of William Bratton sold WHITE OAK SWAMP to Adam Spence, planter, to pay estate debts (WoLR-B:313).

On Dec 20 1751, Adam Spence had the 458a tract MIDDLEMORE surveyed for him in Worcester and received a patent in 1753.

On May 27 1755, Adam Spence had the 200a tract DOUBLE PUCHASE surveyed for him in Worcester and received a patent in 1755.

On Jun 17 1758, Adam Spence had the 100a tract DOUBCHANCE surveyed for him in Worcester and received a patent in 1758.

By 1759, the records refer to him as Capt. Adam Spence.

Adam Spence wrote his will on May 7 1761 and it was proven in Worcester Co. May 7 1762 as:
To wife Mary Spence - use of dwelling plantation called MIDDLESEX for her life, third of movable estate; to have all her own meal ground at Snow Hill Mill toll-free while the mills stands and she lives.
To son Adam Spence - dwelling plantation after wife's death and land called MIDDLEMORE ENLARGED , water mill known as Snow Hill Mill and Lot #5 in Snow Hill Town lying near the lot that crosses the river. Also CONVENIENCY
To son John Spence - right of SMITHS FIRST CHOICE which is on the north side of the creek and the branch called Spring Branch, also right of CHANCE on the north side of Spring Branch, also part of tract DOVER, also Lot # 22 in Snow Hill Town which is on the easternmost side of the main street that comes from the bridge and upon the northernmost side of the main street that passes before the court house door
To son George Spence - right of SMITHS FIRST CHOICE that is on the south side of Spring Branch, also water mill at Calkers Creek
To daughter Margaret Spence - PENNY STREET
To daughter Betty Spence - part of tract DOVER
To daughter Mary Spence - part of tract DOVER
To daughter Anne Spence - tract lying in Broad Neck called DOUBLE PURCHASE containing 200 ac
To daughter Sarah Spence - MIDDLE PLANTATION lying near Stephen Hall's
To sons Adam, John, George - land and marshes Beach, MIDDLEMORE, and LONG ISLAND with the cypress swamp called DESERT
Executor: son Adam
Witnesses: Philip Guthery, Hugh Nelson, Samuel Stevenson (WoW-JW3:064)

Adam married Mary Irving. (Mary Irving was born about 1705 in Somerset Co., MD and died before 22 Jan 1768 in Worcester Co., MD.)