No. 9 Joseph Jason Spencer

no-9-joseph-jasonAccording to Audrey Mae’s artistic map diagram and gravestone numbering system, Joseph Jason’s gravestone is Gravestone Number Nine.  Using a Smith-Corona typewriter in the 1980s, Audrey Mae typed the following mini-biography of Joseph Jason, a seventh- generation Spencer in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

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(A minor discrepancy is another source has year of death as 1891, but gravestone inscription, Bruce MacGunnigle’s book and Audrey Mae’s booklet has 1899.)

Bruce MacGunnigle – 7

The editor believes that Audrey Mae’s above reference to Celinda not wanting to be buried in the same cemetery as “Gus” refers to William Augustus Spencer (gravestone No. 64).

Joseph Jason is the fifth child of Richard Anthony (“Deacon”) (No. 6) and Roby (née Tarbox) (No. 5).  Joseph Jason Spencer is a younger brother of Audrey Mae’s great grandfather, Richard Anthony Spencer. Joseph Jason  married Celinda Kettelle who is Violet Kettelle’s aunt (or great aunt). (In 2001 Audrey Mae told the web author that Violet’s relative, father’s sister, married Joseph Jason Spencer.  Author’s note:  Notetaking of father’s sister may not be accurately retold by author.)

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Violette Kettelle, Spencer historian

Violet Kettelle (2-22-1912–6-4-2004) was a Spencer historian. She was the first woman to enter Penbroke College in  Rhode Island. Violette taught school in Vermont for most of her long career. (glossary of audreymaespencer.com) Violet’s family home was on north side of Middle Road, to the east of the Spencer family cemetery.

“Joseph Jason was an angel, but all the Ketteles thought he was lazy” says Audrey Mae in “Glimpses of the Past: Morning Conversations with Audrey Mae” memoirs on 10-23-2004.

With Audrey Mae’s notes and numbering system, there is reason to believe that the Gravestones of Number Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen and Fourteen are the children of Joseph Jason (No. 9)  and Celinda (née Kettelle) Spencer.  See below:

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According to Audrey Mae,  Augustus Burnside (gravestone No. 24) is also a child of Joseph Jason and Celinda.  Augustus Burnside died as a child of three years.ams-24-august-burnside-joseph-jason-celinda-young-child

 

Spencer, Johnson, Goff, Tarbox and Kettelle descendants,  if you have any additional information on Joseph Jason Spencer, please add a comments to this website and the website editor will add this to the site.  Thanks!”