Cal,
Your information is indeed helpful! I can't recall where I came across "Russell" as his first name, probably from genealogical information from someone's Spicer line who shared. I have Jonas' parents as James Spicer and Charlotte Rich (Reach). The 1860 census shows RJ Spicer living in District 7, Humphreys County with his wife and children. At the time his wife was Mary Box, and the youngest child was born in 1860 (Thomas). I lost track of RJ from that point, and your information about his soon-to-be wife Ellen is new to me, and makes sense. My great grandmother was Emily Frances Spicer (b. 1852). I do not know if Mary Box died, or if she and RJ were divorced. I wonder if the events of the war affected the marriage and family in this way. There is also a slave schedule in 1850 indicating one female black slave, with RJ Spicer as owner.
I will enjoy researching the new information in regard to Ellen Choate. Also interesting that two of RJ's children married Choates. Amanda Spicer married Rufus Choate, and my ggrandmother Emily married James W. Choate.
Thanks again!
Dale