Thomas Spring II was the son of Thomas Spring I, a cloth merchant from Lavenham in Suffolk. Upon the death of his father in 1440, Thomas took on his father’s business, increasing it in size to become the richest clothier in that part of Suffolk. He married Margaret Appleton, and together they had six daughters and four sons, although only four of these children survived infancy.
When he died, he left his business to his eldest son, Thomas Spring III, along with all of his land, a manor at Milden, a manor at Shimpling and tenements at Preston and Lavenham. He was also generous to his workers, leaving money to his spinners, fullers and tenters, as well as money for the upkeep of roads around Lavenham and several local churches.
|