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Spicer Family Collection

2 boxes, 1 overize box (2.75 linear feet)

(1769 – 1961)

bulk 1850-1895

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2024.071
Creator(s) Spicer, James K.
Acquisition See Nabb Center Staff
Language(s) English, French
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Lexie Novak, December 2024
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Separated Materials

Taylor's Island Families and Properties (prior to 1939)

1859-1861 Spicer Store Ledger 
Abstract

This collection contains documents pertaining to the Spicer Family of Taylors Island, Dorchester County, Maryland. It includes both personal documents and those dealing with the family business, which was a general store. Transactions, records books, and meeting minutes make up the bulk of this collection.

Biographical History

James Keene Spicer was born on June 25, 1874 on Taylors Island, Maryland. He married Mary Louise Shepherd on December 12, 1912. It does not appear that the couple had any children. Spicer died June 10, 1957.

Theophilus Travers Spicer III was born on December 17, 1875 on Taylors Island, Maryland. He married Ada Roberta Griffith on December 21, 1898. The couple had 8 children – 4 daughters and 4 sons. Spicer died on January 18, 1945.

Scope and Content Note

Many of the pieces in this collection deal with the Spicer family business, spanning decades. This includes numerous members of the Spicer family, however most of the documents seem to be associated with Theophilus Travers Spicer III and his brother, James Keene Spicer, though some documents date before their time. These documents include records of sales and letters containing bills and confirmation of payments for their general store on Taylors Island. In addition to these financial documents, there are pieces pertaining to their family, as well as the population of Taylors Island. There are Sunday School minutes for their local Methodist Episcopal Church, the Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church, spanning 1852-1868. There is also a packet of notes from Mary Louise Shepherd Spicer that details the families and businesses on Taylors Island prior to 1939. The collection also includes ephemera, such as old stamps from America and France. 

Arrangement Statement

This collection is divided into 5 series:

  • Series 1: Spicer Store records (1852-1940)
  • Series 2: Bethlehem Methodist Church and Taylors Island School records (1844-1949) 
  • Series 3: Spicer Family records (1830 + undated) 
  • Series 4: James K. Spicer Papers (1866-1958) 
  • Series 5: Ephemera (1769-1961) 

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Account books
    • Business
    • Religion
    • Spicer Family
  • Corporate Names
    • Bethlehem Methodist Church
  • Location Terms
    • Dorchester County (Md.)
    • Maryland
    • Taylor's Island (Md.)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Series 1: Spicer Store records 

1. Time Books, 1852-1854 

2. Spicer Store Ledger, 1859-1861

3. Store Ledger, 1859-1865 

4. Account Book, 1859-1865

5. Store Ledger, 1870 

6. Merchant's Account Book, 1887-1888, 1898

7. Assessment Books, 1910 

8. Record Book, 1913-1914

9. Various Account Papers, 1863-1940 

Series 2: Bethlehem Methodist Church and Taylors Island School records

1. Class Books, 1844, 1848 & 1865

2. Sunday School Minutes, 1852-1868 

3. Bethlehem Church Ladies Aid Society Meeting Minutes, 1935-1944 

4. W.S.C.S. Meeting Minutes, Dec. 1947-1949 

Series 3: Spicer Family records 

1. Family Encyclopedia, 1830 

2. Spicer Family Book, undated 

3. Taylor's Island Families and Properties (prior to 1939) (separated) 

Series 4: James K. Spicer Papers 

1. James K. Spicer Papers, 1866-1895

2. James K. Spicer Papers, 1894 

3. James K. Spicer Papers, 1911-1949 

4. James K. Spicer Will & Testament, 1958 

Series 5: Ephemera 

1. Insurance Policy Paperwork, 1885-1898

2. Various Insurance and Deed Paperwork, 1769-1961 

3. Savings and Deposit Books, 1957-1958 

4. Various Correspondence, 1890-1898

5. Stamps, most undated 

6. Autograph Book, undated 

7. Ephemera, most undated, one 1902 

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None