January 24, 2022
Pages 760
Whole Number 43
SIMON SPARKS (1781-1861) OF WOODBURY, NEW JERSEY
In the June, 1963, issue of The Sparks Quarterly, (Whole No. 42, page 738) we published an abstract of the application of Simon Sparks of Woodbury, New Jersey, for bounty land for service in the War of 1812. We noted at that time that we had no data on this Simon Sparks. Mrs. Albert G, Peters, formerly Illinois State Regent of the D.A.R, who has so frequently supplied us with data on New Jersey Sparks families, reports that it is her belief, although she lacks positive proof, that this 19.1.1.7.x Simon Sparks was a son of Joseph Sparks (Webmaster note: Joseph would be 19.1.1.7, if this assumption is correct, but dates are contradictory.) of Glouster County, New Jersey, 'who may have been a son of the 19.1.1 Hon. John Sparks (see The Sparks Quarterly of March, 1958, Whole No, 21, page 286.).
Mrs. Peters reports that this Simon Sparks is called "Esq."in some of the records and that he became a justice of the peace and a judge. He was also in the shoe making business. He died on February 1, 1861, in Woodbury. The Woodbury Constitution published the following obituary in its issue of February 5, 1861,
On Friday morning, last, Simon Sparks Esquire. He was within a few days of being 80 years of age. by a long life of integrity and uprightness he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lived. He served several terms as a Judge of the County Court, and by appointment and election as a justice until his death. He united with the Presbyterian Church of this place within the last ten years and has maintained a consistent profession. He died rejoicing in the merits of Jesus Christ, upon whom he relied for salvation.
From Simon Sparks's will and other records supplied by Mrs. Peters, it appears that he had the following children:
19.1.1.7.x.1 Adeline Sparks, married first FNU Chathein; second, on September 24, 1834, in Glouster County, N.J., to Nelson Woodward. In his will, Simon Sparks mentioned his grandson, A.1.1 Joseph S. Woodward, who was born ca. 1849.
19.1.1.7.x.2 Anna or Ann Sparks, married Elias Burt of Philadelphia in September, 1835.
19.1.1.7.x.3 Mary Sparks, married Augustus Barber in March, 1836, in Glouster County. She had died before 1861, and Simon Sparks willed property to her children:
19.1.1.7.x.3.1 Anna S. Barber;
19.1.1.7.x.3.2 Mary S. Barber;
19.1.1.7.x.3.3 Robert Barber;
19.1.1.7.x.3.4 John Barber,
19.1.1.7.x.3.5 Juley (spelling uncertain) Barber; and
19.1.1.7.x.3.6 Augustus Barber.19.1.1.7.x.4 Howell A. Sparks, born ca. 1815. According to the 1850 census of Mannington, Salem County, New Jersey, he was a wheelwright by occupation. His wife's name was Hannah A., born ca. 1815. He had died before 1861 and his father, Simon Sparks, left property to his children as follows:
19.1.1.7.x.4.1 Maria N. Sparks, born ca. 1843;
19.1.1.7.x.4.2 Mary B. Sparks, born ca. 1845; and
19.1.1.7.x.4.3 Nelson Sparks, born ca. 1847.19.1.1.7.x.5 Joseph Sparks. No information other than his being mentioned in his father's will has been found.
19.1.1.7.x.6 Ellen Sparks. She was mentioned in her father's will, and from the 1850 census it appears that she was born ca. 1831. She was living with her father in 1850.