Biography of John Spurgeon

John was baptised 10 December 1699 at Bracon Ash, Norfolk, and lived there all his life. He was a farmer, and also a bricklayer.

He married Abigail Payne on 7 September 1723. They had 8 children, 6 survived childhood & married.

Elizabeth Potter, singlewoman & servant to John, was buried 10 February 1743 in Bracon Ash. Samuel Goodwin, servant to John, was buried 30 August 1759 in Bracon Ash.

On 14 June 1776 John gave a mortgage (transcription) for £60 plus interest to sell to his son Thomas his property, garden, orchard & pasture at Wreningham, Norfolk. In this document John describes himself as a bricklayer, and Thomas as a farmer.

John's will (transcription), made on 5 September 1778, shortly before his death, mentions his son Thomas, recently deceased son James, daughter-in-law Mary, grandson Benjamin, granddaughter Susanna, daughter Elizabeth, & her husband Stephen Cowell (blacksmith). Thomas & Stephen were his executors: he gave his home and land at Wreningham to Thomas, land and property at Bracon Ash to Stephen & Elizabeth; James' home & land at Bracon Ash to his widow Mary; £3 to Benjamin; £10 to Susanna Spurgeon (described as daughter of Henry Spurgeon, but probably Thomas' daughter Susan); & £10 to Mary Muskett (nee Spurgeon, wife of John Muskett, a carpenter at Shottisham).

He was buried in Bracon Ash on 24 November 1778 age 78.

See also: Wymondham Town Archive.