SPOONER HISTORY

2010-04-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

Circa 1867 - The history of the Spooner family begins when the Reverend Alden Bradford Spooner I settled his family on 150 acres of government land 3 miles up Torro Creek, north of the small coastal town of Morro, in San Luis Obispo County, California.

The Spooner family consisted of the Rev. Spooner, his wife, Roxana Gilmore, and four children, A.B II, Nettie, David, and Edith.

Reverend Alden Bradford Spooner I

1824 - June 6th - Alden Bradford Spooner I was born in Sangerville, Piscataquis County, Maine. Died on February 5th, 1877 at the age of 53. At age 14 he joined the U.S. Navy; sailed around the world on the Constitution (Old Ironsides). Upon his return he left the salt water to sail the Great Lakes.

1848 - July 11th - A. B. I married Roxana Gillmore in Loraine, Ohio.

Circa 1860 - Armed with ordination papers Spooner took his family by way of the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco. From there he preached his way through Crescent City, Portland Oregon, Rohnerville in Humboldt Co., and Chico. His final destination was San Luis Obispo County.

Circa 1867 - Arrived in San Luis Obispo County.

1867 - 1868 - Preached regular sermons in San Luis Obispo. August, 1868 ordained as a deacon in the San Luis Obispo Methodist Episcopal Church.

1870 - Rented the Torro Creek property to eldest son, Alden II. Moved into the town of Morro; became the town constable. "From then on he became the local preacher not only of Morro but any place that needed him. He farmed and he piloted boats in and out of Morro Bay." (Coast Beacon, 3/12/59)

In a diary entry he described the town of Morro, "Morro City....is a small town yet of only about 15 houses. One store kept by Mr. Stuart; One corner kept by a widow woman; One Boarding house kept by myself; Two Saloons - is not that awful - May the good Lord have mercy on us."

1877 - February 5th - The last entry in his diary read, "Feb 5th dawned dark and squally." Rev. Spooner went out in his small boat to pilot into the harbor the steam ship, "Mary Taylor." His body was never found.

1877 - March 3rd - Spooner's estate - From the Probate Court of the County of San Luis Obispo, State of California. "The total value of the A.B. Spooner I estate, including one cow, one lumber wagon, one harrow, and a chest of tools, totaled $1,249." His estate was left to his wife.

Spooner History edited by Joyce Cory

SPOONER HISTORY