Margaret Anne "Mary" (née Niper) Spencer (B: 26 Nov. 1845; D: 24 Apr. 1904)

Margaret Anne Niper was born on 26 Nov. 1845 in Stanhope, Sussex Co., N.J. She was the second of ten children born to George Niper Sr. and Jane Pricket, and her mother is thought to have been Indigenous, specifically Lenape. It also appears that Margaret was also known as "Mary" to some.

The 1850 U.S. Census shows that Margaret was living in Byram, Sussex Co., N.J, with her parents, older sister, younger brother, and a boarder. Margaret's father was working as a "cooper" at the time. According to the 1860 U.S. Census, Margaret was still living in Byram with her parents, her older sister, and six younger siblings.

On 5 Sep. 1863, in Stanhope, Sussex Co., N.J., Margaret A. Niper, aged 17, married George Spencer, aged 18. By the beginning of 1865, George and Margaret had moved to Waterloo Village, Sussex Co., N.J. In Jan. 1865, at Waterloo, Margaret and George Spencer welcomed their first child, Adeline Spencer, who later stated that Margaret disciplined her children with a switch, once instance of which resulted in Adeline walking with a limp for the rest of her life.

On 27 Sep. 1866, their second child and first son, William Spencer, was born in Mount Olive, Morris Co., N.J., near "the Charles Stephens farm." Two more daughters, George and Margaret's third and fourth children respectively, followed soon after, Hannah Spencer on 2 Jul. 1868, and Sarah Spencer in Nov. 1870.

According to the 1870 U.S. Census, George, Margaret, Adeline, "Willie" (William), and Hannah were living in Succasunna, Morris Co., N.J. George's occupation is listed as "teamster," with his personal estate being valued at $25.00. It is also indicated on the census that both George and Margaret were illiterate, with it being noted that neither could read nor write.

On 31 Dec. 1872, George and Margaret's fifth child, Anne Spencer, was born, and on 8 Apr. 1876, in Flanders, Morris Co., N.J., they welcomed their sixth child, Emma Jane Spencer. In Jan. 1878, their seventh child and sixth daughter, Arminda Spencer, was born.

On 7 Feb. 1879, in the Bartley area of Mount Olive, Morris Co., N.J., George and Margaret's eighth child and second son, James Spencer, was born.

According to the 1880 U.S. Census, George, Margaret, and their eight children were residing in Mount Olive; Margaret's occupation is listed as "keeping house."

On 4 Jun. 1882, George Spencer Jr., George and Margaret's ninth child and third son was born in Hackettstown, Warren Co., N.J., although he may have also been born in Budd Lake, Morris Co., N.J. On 10 Jan. 1885, their tenth child, a daughter, Ella Spencer, was born.

According to the 1885 N.J. State Census, George, Margaret, and their nine children were living in Roxbury Township, Morris Co., N.J. Sometime between when the 1885 N.J. State Census was enumerated and Sep. 1886, the Spencer family had relocated to Byram.

On 25 Sep. 1886, their eleventh and final child, Charles Spencer was born in the Roseville area of Byram, Sussex Co., N.J. Overall, George and Margaret had eleven children: seven daughters and four sons.

Sometime around October 1886, George Spencer Sr. developed a cough, and when a physician attended to him, it was determined he has "hasty consumption." Additionally, as later recalled by Margaret, sometime in November 1886, George contracted blood poisoning "due to a cut on the knee," On December 14, 1886, George Spencer Sr. died in Byram, Sussex Co., N.J. at the age of 41 from "consumption accompanied by blood poisoning;" he and Margaret had been married for 23 years.

Margaret later published a notice in the Jan. 8, 1887 issue of The Iron Era, out of Dover, Morris Co., N.J., which stated, "Mrs. Geo. Spencer [Margaret] wishes to tender to the people of this community her gratitude for their kindness to her family and herself since her husband's death."

The 1895 N.J. State Census shows Margaret and five of her children were living at 25 Main Street in Mt. Olive [alternatively, Flanders], Morris Co., NJ, along with the homeowner, Caroline White, an elderly widow.

By the time the 1900 U.S. Census, Margaret and six of her children were living in a rented house in Byram, N.J. It also appears that by 1900, Margaret had learned to read and write, as she was no longer listed as illiterate by the census enumerators. At this time, Margaret's younger brother, George Niper Jr., also lived ten houses up the street from her.

According to the 28 Feb. 1902 issue of The Iron Era, "Mrs. Margaret Spencer is quite seriously ill at her home on Cemetery street [in Stanhope, N.J.]. She is being cared for by her daughter, Mrs. William M. Black [Arminda Spencer Black]." A year later, the 27 Feb. 1903 issue of The Iron Era wrote that, "Mrs. Margaret Spencer, of Stanhope, is seriously ill. She has been confined to the bed for thirteen weeks."

On 24 Apr. 1904, Margaret Spencer, aged 58, died in Stanhope, Sussex Co., N.J. from uterine cancer, which, as indicated by her death certificate, she had been afflicted with for two years. Her death certificate which also listed her occupation as "housekeeper."

She was buried in Stanhope Union Cemetery (Section A, Lot 946) on 27 Apr. 1904, but never received a headstone.

As stated in the 29 Apr, 1904 issue of The Iron Era, "Mrs. Margaret Spencer died at her home in Stanhope, Sunday afternoon. She suffered from a cancer for some time. The funeral was held from her late residence, Wednesday. Interment was made in the Stanhope Union Cemetery."

• Contributor: Robert Mayer III [50468536] - Margaret Anne Spencer's great-great-grandson.