Fifth Generation

34. Elijah SPEAR¹ was born on 22 Jun 1755 in (West) Suffield, Hartford Co., CT. He died before 1831 in Stanbridge, PQ, Canada. He was buried in Prob. on their farm as was the custom. The following article to the absence of records of the town of Rupert VT is proof of the obstacles that the author encountered in his efforts to document the events of birth, death, and marriage during his research for this book.

The first period of time was during the Revolution. The Author quotes from Rupert VT, Historical and Descriptive 1761-1898 by George S.Hibbard, pg 25, "during this memorable struggle, the people of Vermont were afflicted beyond comparison: for the addition to the claims of New York, there were Tories in their midst with British and Indians on their borders. Situated as our town was with respect with respect to the conflict, it is reasonable to believe it had it's full share of stirring events; but the want of records makes it impossible to verify this in only a small degree."

From May 18, 1773 to April 4, 1780 the records are silent. When Cass the Tory Clerk, who stole our records, left is not known" end quote.

The second reference to the missing record for Rupert, VT is on page 32of the same book, quote Break in Records---
"From April 1781 to March 1789, our records are lacking; at the latter date they appear, and are henceforth continuos. As this break cannot be charged to the turmoil of war, much less to Cass, some of the some other explanation is needed. one is that they were accidentally burned, but has little support and may be dismissed. Another of intentional burning is better supported and is probably true. The reason given for this act was the desire to prevent the Church of England from obtaining the land granted to it by the King. By destroying the records of location of the glebe the church would be unable to find it, and so much the gain for the town" end quote.

Elijah Spear's name is on the list of Rupert (VT) men who under Captain Enoch Eastman were called out May 1, 1782 to pursue the enemy which had taken Lt William Blanchard of Arlington, VT and Captain Hinds son's of Arlington captives.

Lydia KENT¹ (daughter of Joseph KENT and Elizabeth PALMER) was born on 22 Feb 1757 in Suffield, Hartford Co., CT. She was born on 22 Feb 1757. She died about 1795 in Stanbridge, PQ, Canada. She was buried in Prob. on their farm as was the custom. Elijah SPEAR and Lydia KENT had the following children:

+41	i.	Elijah SPEAR Jr..
42	ii.	Rhoda SPEAR1 was born on 9 Dec 1781 in Rupert, Rupert Twp., Bennington Co., VT.
43	iii.	Elidia SPEAR1 was born on 23 Jul 1783 in Rupert, Rupert Twp., Bennington Co., VT. She died on 2 Aug 1783 in Rupert, Rupert Twp., Bennington Co., VT.
44	iv.	Stillborn SPEAR1 was born on 18 Jul 1784.
45	v.	Joel SPEAR1 was born on 24 Jun 1785 in Rupert, Rupert Twp., Bennington Co., VT. He died about 1789.
46	vi.	Moses SPEAR1 was born on 26 Aug 1787 in Rupert, Rupert Twp., Bennington Co., VT.
47	vii.	Joel SPEAR1 was born on 4 Jun 1789 in Prob. Benson, Rutland Co., VT.
48	viii.	Lydia SPEAR1 was born about 1790 in Prob. Benson, Rutland Co., VT.
49	ix.	John E. SPEAR1 was born about 1793 in Prob. Benson, Rutland Co., VT.