Spence, William Steers

WILLIAM STEERS SPENCE (ca.1789-1856) was a talented freehand cutter and auctioneer with, according to newsprint, a facility for taking likenesses from memory. Born William Steers in Sussex, and marrying under that name in Dorset in 1817, he had, by the time of his first recorded advertisement in March 1824, altered his name to William Steers Spence.

 

As 'Steers', and already into his 30s, he is initially recorded an 'Artist' in March 1820 in the register at his first offspring's baptism. However, it was only when dubbing himself William Steers Spence "The Ingenious Artist with Scissars" and more dubiously "...the original Inventor of this Ingenious Art", that newspapers first plot a busy, seemingly successful tour of several towns in England and Wales between 1824 and the spring of 1825. On offer and "...cut in 20 seconds..." were "Profile Busts 1s; Four ditto the same 2s-Full Length or Bronze 5s".

 

Four advertisements appeared in the HEREFORD JOURNAL in March 1824 and 2 in the SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE in October. In January 1825, a lengthy advertisement appeared in the SALISBURY and WINCHESTER JOURNAL and in the NORTHAMPTON MERCURY 9th April 1825, Spence relates that upwards of 30,000 profiles were taken "...in the last 12 months". Even allowing for an advertiser's hyperbole, it's strange Spence's only verified works are one full-length and two bust-size plain black silhouettes pasted into a Shrewsbury antiquary's manuscript. Illustrated in McKechnie, all 3 appear well-executed.

 

After a 9-year absence, Spence's final advertisement appears in the MAIDSTONE JOURNAL 11th November 1834 as "Artist in Bronze to HER R.H. THE PRINCESS AUGUSTA", stating that in 1829, "...at the seat of the Earl of Arran in Bognor, Sussex..." he took upwards of 100 profiles of the Princess, her suite and household. However, no advertisements from 1829 claiming Royal Patronage or an appointment as "Artist in Bronze..." have come to light, which make Spence's claims questionable at best.

 

Regarding his personal life, though the 1851 Census records his birthplace as Robertsbridge, Sussex, nothing is known of his forebears.  In December 1817 he married Jane Mary Shipp (1800-1847), daughter of a local bookseller in Blandford Forum, Dorset. Between 1820-1837 Jane Mary gave birth to 4 sons and a daughter. John Joseph, born 1820 and William, born 1830, likely died in infancy.  Interestingly, when second son Arthur Spence Steers (1822-1891) enlisted, age 16, in the 12th Lancers at Oxford in 1838, he gave his occupation as 'Artist'.

 

In 1827 "Mr. W. Steers Spence, auctioneer of Wimborne, Dorset" was comprehensively reported in newsprint, and likely Spence was comprehensively startled by the events described. THE NEWS (London) 18th June 1827 for example, recorded that "...hearing a singular noise behind the wainscote of one of his chambers...he removed a small part of it...and a flight of bats rushed out.90 were killed and half as many escaped". The building was described as "...ancient". By 1831, Land Tax returns, records Spence a Freeholder of West Melbury, a sparse hamlet south of Shaftesbury, Dorset. His abode, presumably bat-free, was given as 'Byron Cottage and Garden'.

 

Ten years later, the 1841 Census records a decline in his fortunes that would only gain momentum. Now located in Monkton Coombe, south of Bath, Spence, his wife, daughter Jane Mary (1826-1896) and son Henry (1837-1867) share a small abode with the family of a quarry labourer and the family of a laundress. In May 1847, Spence's wife died in Bath. In 1850, daughter Jane Mary married there. The 1851 Census records Spence in Shaftesbury workhouse as "Pauper...[and]...late Artist" born in Robertsbridge, Sussex. The same Census locates his 14-year-old son, Henry Steers Spence, in the Bath Union Workhouse.

 

Aged 66, William Steers Spence died at Westgate Buildings, Bath, 11th of February 1856. Described as 'impoverished', Westgate Buildings stood on the periphery of Bath's poorest district. Spence was buried in Bath Abbey Cemetery 5 days after his demise.

 

Revised 23 February 2023 (Brian Wellings)