Note: For many years now, we have seen messages and reports "out there" that William Crump of Lancaster Co., VA, was married to Mary Spillman; some even published. Thanks to a lot of work over at least ten years by Karen in Florida, we may have some answers.

It appears that Mary Spillman (probably Spelman) married Nicholas Parque (various spellings). Her name is tied to his in documented court evidence, and it is most likely that the three Penley children were put under the guardianship of Parque, since Mary Spelman Parque was sister of Elizabeth Hill who married Will Penley.

There is a lot of good evidence provided by Karen that this was most likely the case, although there is really no primary documentation. I am personally satisfied and will be reflecting Nicholas as Mary's husband going forward. There is no record that Nicholas and Mary had any children of their own.

Because of Nicholas' various run-ins with the law, he would not have likely been named guardian if he were not related to the Penley children. After he abused him, they asked the court to appoint William Crump, husband of Frances Mountney (another sister of Mary Spillman) to be guardian. They went with William when he moved to Maryland about 1663.

It will be impossible to erase Mary Spillman from all the internet sites that show her as wife of William Crump of Lancaster, County, VA, but for we Crump researchers, I wanted to let everyone know the current thinking. Especially since it is absolutely clear that William married Frances Mountney and not her sister Mary Spillman.

We are still searching for the origins of William. Regards to all, Ed Crump in Louisiana