Ahnentafel #432 - John Speer

John Speer

Born: ca. 1765 in Virginia
Died: Nov. - Dec. 1811 Morganton, Burke County, North Carolina

Buried: probably in a Morganton Cemetery, no marker

Married: ca. 1784 Margaret Cloyd probably in North Carolina

Religion: probably Presbyterian

Occupation: John was a tailor and at one time ran a tavern. If his father was Michael Speer of Speer's Ferry he most likely helped run the ferry as a youngster. 

John's grandson Dr. John Grove Speer wrote of him:

Both of my grand-fathers were in the Continental army and fought the British until the war closed and Independence was gained - when peace and joy reigned in the hearts of all, the lovers of freedom and liberty in the thirteen States of the Union.  This was obtained through a great sacrifice of life and treasure.  History tells of hundreds whose lives were freely offered a sacrifice for the freedom we now enjoy. 

O! what a legacy is left us, and may we ever remember that vigilance on our part is necessary, that like those heroes, we may leave unimpaired to our children the same precious blessings of liberty, freedom of speech and conscience, peaceful, pursuit after happiness and other blessings of our kind and merciful Father.  Therefore, let us continually give thanks to Him for his loving kindness and tender mercies to the children of men and pray for Him to bless us all along our journey through this world, and finally ransom us from the grave and give us a home on high.  

Now, since it is praiseworthy as well as honorable and desirable to keep in memory the grand and noble men and the part they took in that great struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, I undertake in my homely style to give you such facts and truths as I can remember of those whose memory we would honor and perpetuate; at the same time distrustful of myself or interesting to those who may read it.

My grand-father, John Speer, was born in the State of Virginia, probably near the bordering State, North Carolina. 

We find Grand-father Speer in Morgantown, Burke County, North Carolina, in early manhood.  He had married and was blessed with a robust, healthy son, whom they named John Speer (my father), who was born August 10, 1785.  Grand-father died in the winter of 1811, in Morgantown, N.C. Grandmother Speer's maiden name was Margaret Cloyd; where born I do not know. 

Grandfather John Speer died during the winter of 1811 or 1812, and father went back and brought his mother to Kentucky, where he had moved the fall before.  He [John Jr.] was born August 20, 1784 and had lived with his father and mother until about twenty-four years of age. 

I was taught to honor grand-father and grand-mother, which, in the nature of things was, and ever shall be praiseworthy. It is also right, because the Lord commanded it, adding a promise of a long life to those who do so.

I am writing this sketch as my thoughts lead me, without any prearranging plan, not desiring to speak more highly of one than another. I esteem all alike, worthy of my love and gratitude, for they were all honorable and worthy of respect and esteem and due attention will be given each one bye and bye.

Grand-father Speer was a tailor by occupation and carried on that business. The style in those days was different from what it is now. Fine English broadcloth made up into pigeon-tail coats with brass buttons, I think was the style of gentlemen's coats, with knee-pants made of the same cloth. I hvae seen a pair of boots made about the year 1785, with  high tops that come up to the knees to finish the leg gear and suit was the style of pantaloons. I was told grandfather made for me when I was two years old a nice suit of fine cloth, that I was dressed in, and looked as pretty and trim as a partridge and seemed proud of so nice a thing. Nevertheless, I had some peculiar ideas of my own, and just then and there put one into execution.  A heavy rain had fallen and the puddle-holes were filled about that time. They missed me and lo! I was out jumping up and down in the water, making it fly, regardless of my fine suit. I was brought in and stripped, but what followed I know not. 

He furnished his son with a wagon and team to go on the road and bring up goods from Charleston, S.C. for the merchants, there engaged in that business.  How long he was engaged in this or how many trips was made I do not know, but from some cause or other he [John Jr.] had to give up that work when about twenty years of age. 

Records:

Unfortunately the people of Morganton burned the county records during the Civil War in an attempt to prevent the Union troops from burning the courthouse.  They succeeded and while old courthouse is beautiful, I wish they had hidden the records instead. 

1776-1781 - there is a John Speer listed in the Virginia 5th Regiment during the American Revolution, however the 5th was made up of men from the Northern Neck.  John Speer was not known to have been there.  It is over 450 miles from Speer's Ferry. 

1790 - Burke County, North Carolina - Jno. Spears family

• 2 males under 16 - sons?
• 2 males over 16 - John and ? 
• 1 female - Margaret 

1791 - July 22 - Deed from commissioners of the town of Morganton to Jno. Spears for a house & lot in Morganton. Proven by James Greenlee a the Jan. session of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Jan. 1793. 

1793 - June 21 - John sold 376 acres to Peter Mull in Burke County, North Carolina. 

1794 - Burke Co., NC. - John received a tavern bond with James McDowell

1800 - Burke Co., NC census - John Spear family

• 2 males under 10
• 1 male 10-16 John Jr.
• 1 male 26-45 John Sr.
• 2 females under 10
• 1 female 10-16
• 1 female 26-45 Margaret
• 9 slaves

1801 - March 7 - Burke Co., NC - John was involved with a lawsuit.  Unclear if he served as a juror or bailiff or posted bail.

John Bradburn vs. John Spencer, March 7, 1801. Bail: Robert Craig, John Jones, Jos. Burton, John Spears for Wm. Byrnes, March 1799.

1805 - John paid taxes on 2/3 of a town lot in Morganton, North Carolina. 

1810 - Burke Co., NC census - John Spear living in Morganton

• 2 males under 10 grandsons Samuel, John Grove
• 3 males 16-26 John Jr., unknown and unknown
• 1 male 45+ John Sr. 
• 1 woman 16-26 daughter-in-law Mary Barbary (Grove) Speer
• 1 woman 45+ Margaret
• 3 slaves

Children:

unnamed daughter b. 1784-1790 ? 
unnamed son b. 1784-1790 ? 
John 
unnamed daughter b. 1790-1800 ?
unnamed daughter b. 1790-1800 ? 
unnamed son b. 1790-1800 ? 

As Dr. John Grove Speer does not mention any aunts and uncles it is probable that any other children died in infancy or as young children.  

Revised 12/20/2022