General Notes

[spelman.FTW]

REFN: 696
RICHARD SPILMAN, the son of Richard Spilman of Chelmsford and his wi fe,
Lucy Spyte, was born probably sometime between August, 1637, and March,
1638-9, as during this period took place his baptism, as noted above. His
fa ther died in January, 1640-1, when he was only a few years old, and
little is known of his early life. It is possible that his mother married
a second tim e, and that with her Richard went to Danbury, a few miles
from Chelmsford. Be fore Lucy Spyte's marriage to Richard Spilman, Senior,
she had lived in a par t of Chelmsford Parish called Moulsham. In Moulsham
also lived Sir Humphrey M ildmay, who was the owner of the greater part of
Danbury. It is possible that Lucy or her family had some connection with
property in Danbury, and that th is was the cause of her son's being there
when he first appears in public rec ords.
His house at Eve's Corner, with the little blacksmith's shop adjoining,
is still standing.  At the top of Danbury Hill, near the hamlet of
Runsell, and overlooking a valley three hundred feet below, is Eve's
Corner.  Until a bout fifty years ago the house where Richard Spilman's
anvils rung was occupi ed by a succession of smiths and wheelwrights, and
is now the home of a young man, a contractor and builder, whose father
before him lived there and built additional workshops. The house has been
partly plastered, and its interior has been modernized by paint and
wall-paper; but the timbered roof, the old b rick walls, and the deep old
fireplaces are as in Richard Spilman's day. The large room at the right
of the entrance door is used at present for the relig ious meetings of a
body of Christian people known as "The Brethren."
The Chr istian name of Richard Spilman's wife was Alice; her surname is
unknown.  It is probable that several of their children were born in the
little house at E ve's Corner, and this home of their ancestors should
possess a deep interest to the Spelmans of America, for this was then the
birthplace of Richard Spilm an or Spelman, the last of their line in
England and the American Colonist.