Biography of Thomas Spurgeon

Baptised at Tharston, Norfolk on 19 October 1729: "Thos, son of John & Abigail Spargen". See also 19 October 1729.

Banns of the marriage of Thomas Spurgeon & Susanna Read, both of the Parish Hardingham, Norfolk, were read on 8th, 15th & 22 February 1756. Married by banns on 23 February 1756 at St Georges Church, Hardingham, Norfolk, witnessed by Susanna's father John Read. His father John died in 1778; in his will he gave Thomas his home & land at Wreningham, near to Bracon Ash, Norfolk.

After the death of his first wife he married Sarah Donne (spinster of the Parish of Hardingham) on 15 October 1795 at Hingham, Norfolk, where he was living at the time - the marriage was witnessed by his son John. He was buried at Hardingham on 29 December 1799, aged 72.

All nine of Thomas' children were born at Hardingham: four died as infants: Martha (born 24/3/1759, died 1/11/1759), Mary (died 13/1/1765), Susan (died 14/2/1767), & Abigail (born 14/1/1773, died 15/5/1778). Martha married Robert Dye and lived in Hardingham; John married Anne Taylor, and later Mary Gedge; Susan married John Eaglen; Charlotte married Robert Rudd; & William married Rhode Culham.

He was buried at Hardingham on 19 December 1799. Family & property details can be found in his 1799 will:

Land Tax records of 1784 to 1793 show Thomas living at Hardingham and having to pay extra for property at Brickle Close and Halcots, occupied by the Rev. Boroughs and Mrs Ivison. He was apparently a wealthy man. Described as a farmer when he died, he owned a farm at Hardingham which he gave to his son John some time before his death. In addition he owned 4 homes in Hardingham and some other property in Hingham and 'towns adjoining'.

See also: Wymondham Town Archive.