Thomas Lyon Spencer, son of Captain Simmons and Ruth (Miller) Spencer, was born in East Greenwich, R. I., June 25, 1809. He was educated in the schools of the town, and in early manhood, after a short apprenticeship, began the manufacture of boots and shoes in East Greenwich. He was successful from the very outset in this enterprise, and engaged in wholesale and retail manufacturing , conducting a large and lucrative trade until 1890, when he retired from active business life. Mr. Spencer was widely known in manufacturing and business circles in East Greenwich and in Providence, and eminently respected for the unimpeachable integrity of all his dealings. He was one of the foremost citizens of East Greenwich, always a leader in movements which had for their end the advancement of civic conditions. He was long a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for several years was one of its trustees; he served also in the office of steward. For many years Mr. Spencer was a member of the Town Council, but he refused to accept nomination to higher offices. A Republican in political affiliation, he was nevertheless influenced only by his regard for justice and the greater good of the community in casting his vote. He was a keen student of national and local issues, and thoroughly abreast of the times. Of magnetic personality, kindly and courteous, he was well loved and his death was sincerely mourned in East Greenwich.
Mr. Spencer married, May 7, 1835, Sarah Hart Bateman, daughter of Benjamin and Alice (Pierce) Bateman, and granddaughter of Hector Bateman, founder of the family in New England, who settled in Coventry, R. I. Richard M. Bayles, in his 'History of Newport County', published in 1888, states that Hector Bateman was the son of Lord William Henry Bateman, of Castle Hill, Herefordshire, England. Alice (Pierce) Bateman, mother of Mrs. Spencer, was the daughter of John Pierce, who deeded the land on which is located the court house in East Greenwich, the transfer being made at the time when there was a bill introduced to annex the county of Kent to the county of Providence. Sarah Hart (Bateman) Spencer died on March 12, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer were the parents of the following children: Ruth Miller, mentioned below; Thomas L. S., born Jan. 13, 1850, died March 8, 1871. Thomas Lyon Spencer died at his home in East Greenwich, R. I., Aug. 17, 1895, and is buried with his wife in the East Greenwich Cemetery.
