Spencer Family collection

The collection consists of fourteen record series created during the lifetimes of Jabez Selden Spencer, his wife Sarah (Parker) Spencer and his son, Ralph G. Spencer. A biographical history taken from a 1984 reprint of the 1896 Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and Putnam Counties follows this introduction.

The majority of papers within the collection were probably under the custodianship of Jabez Selden Spencer, a Justice of the Peace of Union Township, Putnam County from 1837-1841, and Putnam County Recorder from 1841-1847 and from 1849 until his death in 1853. These papers consist of duplicates of public records filed with the County and constitute agreements, accounts and injunction bond records, case files, deed records, estate administration records, lease records, personal property mortgages, partition records, and road and ditch records. The case files date form the time Jabez Selden Spencer served as Union Township Justice of the Peace. Included in these files are affidavits, bills of particulars, summons, subpoenas, and recognizance liens. Road Records consist of an 1836 agreement between the Putnam County Commissioners and Moses Lee and Samuel Parker for the opening of sections one and two of the Kalida and Lima State Road. Ditch Records consist of an 1851 agreement between the Commissioners and Abner L. And Henry N. Lemon for the digging of a ditch along the Napoleon and Kalida Free Turnpike.

Personal papers belonging to Jabez Selden Spencer include appointments, corporation records, correspondence, and property tax receipts. Of particular interest may be the corporation records which document the 1849 formation of the Kalida and California Mining Company.

Papers belonging to Sarah (Parker) Spencer include a few pieces pertaining to the administration of Jabez's estate and some property tax receipts dated after her husband's death.

Ralph G. Spencer, the fourth of Jabez and Sarah Spencer's seven children, served as the Treasurer of Putnam County from 1897-1901. Papers within the collection which can be attributed to Ralph G. Spencer include a piece of correspondence and a list of the names attached to his official's bond for County Treasurer.