Person:Robert Spire (1)

Robert Spire was baptised on 10th August 1711 at Ashton under Hill, which was then in Gloucestershire. He was the son of Ann Spire, formerly Dyer, and her husband Thomas Spire, a weaver. Robert was the second of their three children, but his older brother and younger sister both died young, leaving him effectively an only child.

On 20th February 1731, aged 19, Robert married Margaret Stokes at Ashton under Hill. They went on to have four children baptised at Ashton under Hill between 1732 and 1738, although their eldest child (and only daughter) died just a couple of days after her baptism.

Margaret has yet to be traced after the baptism of her youngest son in 1738.

In 1748 Robert’s father died. His will left all his property to Robert’s mother Ann for her lifetime, after which it was to be split between Robert and two of his sons. Robert was to receive two of his father’s four looms, whilst his son Thomas was to get the other two looms. The will specified that they were to split the gears and slays used with the looms equally between them by choosing, with Robert getting first choice.

Robert’s mother died in 1753.

In 1759 Robert was a witness for a marriage licence of a couple called George Townsend Roberts of Overbury and Mary Higgins of Alderton. Robert was described as a weaver of Ashton under Hill at that time. He has yet to be traced after 1759.

1. ↑ Bishop's Transcript, in Ashton under Hill, Gloucestershire: Parish Registers (Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester).

   Robert the son of Thomas Spire was baptized August 10th 1711

   This baptism has been linked to the Robert Spire who married Margaret Stokes on the basis of the will of Thomas Spire of Ashton under Hill who died in 1748, which refers to his son Robert and names two grandsons, Thomas and Charles, which were the names of two of Robert and Margaret’s children.

2.   Gloucestershire Archives Catalogue (Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester)
   GDR/Q1/1759/entry number 154.

   Marriage licence allegation for George Townsend Roberts, of Overbury, Worcestershire, tailor, and Mary Higgins of Alderton, spinster, 23 May 1759.
   Licence or banns: Bond
   Signature or mark: He signs
   Witnesses: Robert Spire, a weaver of Ashton Underhill
   Officiating minister: John White
   Event type: Marriage bond
   Memoranda: The groom and Robert Spire are bound in the sum of £500. To marry at Alderton