SPENCE OF HOULLAND in the Parish of Yell

1. WILLIAM SPENCE, (Spens) inherited under the will, dated at Tingwall, 10th July 1506, of Sir David Sinclair of Sumburgh, 3rd son of William, Earl of Orkney, all his lands in Gloppa (of Gloup) and 15 merks land in Baltene (see Bannatyne Miscellany)
2. HENRY SPENCE of Houlland, probably his son, is said to have married Katherine Greig, and had issue:
   1. William, his heir
   2. James of Midbrake
3. WILLIAM SPENCE of Houlland, as son and heir of Henry Spence of Houlland, witnesses a charter by Sinneva Regnenisdaughter, alias Nisbet, to Peter Nisbet of Kirkabsiter, of 2 merks land in Sursetter in Delting, dated at Borday Sound in Norway, 20th June 1583. He had issue:
4. HENRY SPENCE of Houlland, against whom, and George Spence in Midbreck, there is an action at the instance of John Neven, burgess of Dundee, and James Neven his son, for recovery of certain sums of money on 12th November 1628. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Strang of Voesgarth, and had issue:
   1. William, his heir
   2. James, married 1641, Marion, daughter of David Nicolson of Turfhouse and Magdalen Waltersdaughter, his spouse
   3. Agnes, married James Spence of Midbreck
   4. David in Gardie (see No.VI)
5. WILLIAM SPENCE, as apparent of Houlland, witnesses a charter by Magnus Nicolson, portioner of Culbenstoft, to Patrick Cheyne of Vaila on 15th September 1636. He married Christian Edmondston, who died April 1650, and had issue: all mentioned in the confirmation of their mother's estate,
   1. Osea
   2. John
   3. Sunevo
   4. Christine
6. DAVID SPENCE in Gairdie, afterwards of Houlland, had a charter of 27 merks land of Houlland and others, on 11th August 1664, from Alexander Douglas of Spyrie, Commissioner for the Earldom. He married Barbara, daughter of Ninian Neven of Windhouse, and had issue:
   1. Ninian, his heir
   2. Gilbert, died unmarried
   3. John
   4. Elspeth
   5. Janet, all mentioned in the will of their father, dated 17th June 1669
7. NINIAN SPENCE of Houlland, had a disposition of these lands from his father, on 20th May 1679. He married (first) Margaret, daughter of Gilbert Neven of Windhouse and had issue:
   1. James, his heir
   2. John of Gardie
   3. Margaret, married Robert Scollay
   4. Doraty, married Hosea Brown
   He married (second) Marabel Williamsdaughter, heiress of Hammer, daughter of William Thomasson, grandson of Manss Norss, and had issue:
   5. Gilbert of Hammer
   6. Barbara, married James Sinclair
   7. Katherine
8. JAMES SPENCE of Murseter, afterwards of Houlland, had a disposition of the lands of Houlland and others, from his father on 30th April 1727. He married Margaret, daughter of William Smith, and had issue:
   1. David, his heir
   2. Robert
   3. Gilbert
   4. James
   5. Katherine, married John Henderson of Midgarth
   6. Ursula, married John Spence
   7. Jean, born 20th June 1734, married John Robertson
9. DAVID SPENCE of Houlland, baptised 21st April 1717, died 1782, married Louisa, daughter of Laurence Nicolson of Houll, and had issue:
   1. James, his heir
   2. John
   3. Katherine, married William Ogilvy
   4. Margaret
   5. Barbara
   6. Mary
10. JAMES SPENCE of Houlland, designed eldest son in a sasine of 1761, married his cousin Katherine, daughter of William Spence of Hammer, and had issue:
    1. James, his heir
    2. Gilbert
    3. David
    4. William Thomas, baptised 27th April 1766
    5. Grizel, (only daughter of deceased James) married 24th May 1812, John Scott
    6. Ursilla, married James Harrison
    7. Margaret, married Thomas Russell
    8. Anne
11. JAMES SPENCE of Houlland, married Barbara, daughter of James Ross, and had issue:
    1. David
    2. James of Houlland, served heir to his grandfather, 9th December 1846
    3. Katherine, married Andrew Watson
    4. Barbara