October 15, 2023
Pages 790-807
Whole Number 45
1.2.5.6 JONAS SPARKS (DIED 1805)
OF ROWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
AND HIS DESCENDANTS
by Russell E. Bidlack
(Compiler's Note: A number of people have contributed valuable information for the preparation of this sketch. William P. Johnson has done extensive research in North Carolina, while Paul E. Sparks has searched many Kentucky records. Louise Jones of Salt Lake City, Utah, a descendant of Jonas Sparks through his son David, has helped immeasurably; among her contributions has been the portrait of Mary Sparks Hunter, daughter of David. Helen Sparks of Los Angeles and Col. Leonard C. Sparks of Washington, D.C., both descendants of Jonas' grandson, Cornelius Sparks, have contributed valuable data and very kindly read and corrected the manuscript for this sketch.)
1.2.5.6 Jonas Sparks was a resident of Rowan County, North Carolina, from ca. 1760 until his death in 1805. He lived in that portion of Rowan County that became Davie County in 1836, often referred to in early records as 'the forks of the Yadkin,' about ten miles from Salisbury. Jonas Sparks was, in all probability, closely related to 1.2.5.1 Solomon Sparks, 1.2.1.2.2 Matthew Sparks, and 1.2.1.2 William Sample Sparks who moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to Rowan County, North Carolina, in the late 1750's and early 1760's.
We have not been able to determine exact birth dates for any of these Sparks pioneers, but judging from the birth dates of their children, it appears that all four were born between 1725 and 1740. We are certain that William Sample Sparks was a son of 1.2.5 Joseph Sparks, whose wife's name was Mary and who died in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1749.
[NOTE: We now know that 1.2.1.2 William Sample Sparks was a nephew of this 1.2.5 Joseph Sparks, his father, 1.2.1 William Sparks, Jr., being a brother of 1.2.5 Joseph Sparks.
We now know also that Jonas Sparks, who died in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1805, was a son of Joseph Sparks (died 1749). Thus, 1.2.5.6 Jonas Sparks and 1.2.1.2 William Sample Sparks were first cousins, although William Sample Sparks was about a generation older than Jonas.]
1.2.5 Joseph Sparks did not leave a will and his widow, Mary Sparks, was appointed administratrix. The inventory of his estate was taken on May 1, 1749. William Sample Sparks and Rachel Sparks signed this inventory as kinsmen. It seems probable because of the close association of Solomon Sparks, Matthew Sparks, William Sample Sparks, and Jonas Sparks after they came to North Carolina that they were all brothers, or at least closely related. A son of Matthew Sparks, who made application for a pension for his service in the Revolution, referred to his Uncle James Sparks--probably still another brother of the four just named. (See the Quarterly of June, 1961, pp. 556-566, Whole No. 34, for data on Matthew Sparks, and the Quarterly of December, 1955, pp. 97-98, Whole No. 12, for data on Solomon Sparks.
Our earliest record of Jonas Sparks in Rowan County is the tax list of 1761--in Caleb Osborn's District the name of Jonas Sparks appears along with that of Matthew Sparks and Solomon Sparks.
The earliest record of Jonas Sparks acquiring land in Rowan County is a deed dated January 1, 1763, by which he purchased for 20 pounds a tract of 130 3/4 acres from Solomon Sparks. (See Rowan County Deed Book 5, p. 275.) This was the lower portion of a 290-acre tract of 'vacant land' which Solomon Sparks had purchased on August 28, 1762, from the Right Honorable John Earl Granville. (Rowan County Deed Book 5, p. 228.) This land was located, according to the description in the deeds, on the south side of the Yadkin River just opposite the point at which Muddy Creek flows into the Yadkin. On the same date that Solomon Sparks sold this portion of his tract to Jonas Sparks, he sold the remaining 159 1/4 acres to Valentine Vanhouser. In 1761, Solomon Sparks had purchased a tract of 250 acres on the south side of the Yadkin (Rowan County Deed Book 4, p. 389) immediately below the mouth of Muddy Creek, and it was on this tract that Solomon lived for a number of years before moving to what is now Yadkin County, then a part of Surry County, North Carolina. Thus, Jonas and Solomon lived on adjoining land for several years after 1763.
In 1764, Jonas Sparks served on a jury in Rowan County, as did also Solomon Sparks and William Sample Sparks.
Whether Jonas Sparks was married when he came to North Carolina, we have not been able to determine, nor do we know the date of birth of his oldest child. We know that his daughter Elizabeth Sparks was born in 1765. It is possible that she was the oldest of his children. No record of the name of the wife of Jonas Sparks has been found. He married a second time in 1786, but it was his unknown first wife who was the mother of his children.
A few years before the Sparkses moved from Maryland to North Carolina, a family that was later to become famous in American history had settled along the Yadkin River. This was the Boone family, Squire Boone, father of Daniel, having moved there with his family from Pennsylvania in May, 1750. Another prominent family that had preceded the Sparkses to the Yadkin River was that of Morgan Bryan who had moved there from Virginia in 1748. (Daniel Boone, the famous frontiersman, married Rebecca Bryan, daughter of Morgan Bryan, in 1755.) [NOTE: Rebecca Bryan was not a daughter of Morgan Bryan but was a daughter of Joseph Bryan who was a son of Morgan Bryan. See SQ p. 3885.]
These three families, the Boones, the Bryans, and the Sparkses, became close friends, and on September 25, 1773, members of all three of these families set out to find a new home in the wilderness of what is now Kentucky. Daniel Boone had spent two years exploring (from May, 1769, to March, 1771) and, according to his autobiography which he wrote with the aid of John Filson in 1784, when he returned home he was 'determined to bring them [his family] as soon as possible at the risk of my life and fortune, to reside in Kentucke, which I esteemed a second paradise.' He then relates that he sold his farm on the Yadkin 'and what goods we could not carry with Us; and on the 25th of September 1773, we bade farewell to our friends and proceeded on our journey to Kentucke, in company with five more families.' The other five families were those of his brother, Squire Boone, Jr., James, Morgan, Jr., and William Bryan (all brothers), and Jonas Sparks. Each of these men was accompanied by his wife and several children, some of whom were approaching maturity. According to Dr. J. Bryan, whose article on this migration was reprinted in the Quarterly of September, 1953, pp. 13-16, Whole No. 3, enough of the sons were old enough to carry rifles so that there was a total of some twenty armed men. The path followed by this emigration party has become known in American history as the Wilderness Trail.
When they reached Powell's Valley, which is located near the present border between Western Virginia and Tennessee, they were joined by five other families, including forty well-armed men. The following description of the events which followed is taken from Dr. Bryan's article: 'The daily order of march was for the armed men to take the lead, then came the women and children on horseback, then the cattle and young stock driven by the older boys and young men, who thus brought up the rear, and acted as a rear guard. In this order, they took their daily march, and proceeded without incident worthy of note until October 10th, when they were crossing Powell's River for the last time, as they approached 'Cumberland Gap.' While moving, the cavalcade would stretch out on the road for a mile or so. The armed men had forded the river and were halted and formed in line to proteot the company, expecting attack, if at all, from the front. While the main force were thus on guard, other men were helping the women and children to ford the river. The time consumed in fording the river had brought the rear guard up to within half a mile or less cf the river. While some of the women and children were still in the midst of the stream, the entire company was startled by a sudden and heavy fireing in the rear Some of the armed men hastily mounted and rushed back across the river, and as they got fairly on the bank, met one of the young men, wounded, dashing up, who reported that they had been fired on from ambush. The men soon came upon the indians, and after a sharp fight, drove them off, to find the other six young men dead. All had received fatal wounds at the first fire, showing the Indians had lain in the thicket at the roadside, and, as the company was too strong for them, they had allowed the cavalcade to pass by, but when the seven young men came up, it was too tempting for Indian enmity to resist. They evidently each picked his man, took deliberate aim, and but one, sent their bullets but too true, killing outright the six and wounding the seventh.'
According to Dr. Bryan, Elizabeth Sparks, daughter of Jonas, who was then about nine years old, was one of those 'still in the midst of the stream' when the attack was made. She 'was riding a gentle horse and carrying a baby brother before her.'
One of the six young men killed was Daniel Boone's eldest son, James. After burying their dead, the group decided not to proceed any further until Spring. In his autobiography, Boone stated: 'Though we repulsed the enemy, yet this unhappy affair scattered our cattle, brought us into extreme difficulty, and so discouraged the whole company, that we retreated forty miles to the settlement on the Clench River. We had passed over two mountains, Powell's and Walden's, and were approaching Cumberland Mountain, when this adverse fortune overtook us.'
An Indian war now broke out, known as Lord Dunmore's War, and the emigrants remained in their settlement on the Clinch River for two years. During this time, Daniel Boone served the government of Virginia in various ways, including the building of a fort on the Kentucky River which was called Boonesborough. Finally, on June 14, 1775, he returned to his family and led those who wished to continue to Kentucky to the new fort.
Jonas Sparks did not remain in Kentucky, but sometime prior to 1778 he returned with his family to their old home on the Yadkin. Several members of the Bryan family also returned to Rowan County. In 1778, Jonas Sparks was taxed in Rowan County on property valued at 4 pounds, 3 shillings and 6 pence. He moved back on the farm that he had purchased originally from Solomon Sparks and did not acquire additional land for a number of years. In 1784, for example, he was taxed 17 shillings on this farm of slightly over 130 acres.
Sometime prior to 1786, 1.2.5.6 Jonas Sparks' first wife died. Possibly she died in Kentucky before the family returned to North Carolina. On September 5, 1786, Jonas Sparks obtained a marriage bond in Rowan County to marry Mary Eakle. The bond was signed by Peter Little, while Hugh Magoune signed as witness. Mary Eakle had been twice a widow when she married Jonas Sparks. Her first husband, whom she married ca. 1751, was Capt. Daniel Little (born in 1731, died December 10, 1775), who was a prominent citizen of Salisbury in Rowan County. (He held numerous high offices in Salisbury: Constable, Jailer, Commissioner, High Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, and Captain of the Militia.) Daniel and Mary Eakle Little had seven children:
Peter Little;
Daniel Little, Jr.;
John Little,
Henry Little,
James Little,
Lewis Little, and
Mary Little.
In 1779, Mary Little, widow of Daniel Little, married as her second husband, Jacob Eakle (also spelled Eckle); the Rowan County marriage bond was dated January 5, 1779, and Mary's name appeared as Anne Mary Little; the bondsman was John Lewis Beard, while the witness was William R. Davis. Jacob Eakle (or Eckle) died, date not known, and Jonas Sparks became Mary's third husband.
According to a tradition among the descendants of Jonas Sparks's son, David Sparks, this second wife was a 'Dutch woman,' (that is, German), and David, who would have been about eighteen years old at the time, strongly objected to his father marrying her. Later, however, David married the 'Dutch woman's' pretty daughter, whose name was Mary Little. A descendant who could remember Mary recalled many years ago that she had a German accent. Daniel Little is said to have come to Rowan County from Pennsylvania ca. 1750. Without doubt, both he and Mary, his wife, were Pennsylvania Dutch.
On May 3, 1788, 1.2.5.6 Jonas Sparks again purchased land from Solomon Sparks, who had moved by this time to Surry County, North Carolina (that part which became Yadkin County). On this date, for 150 pounds, Solomon deeded to Jonas 170 acres on the south side of the Yadkin River opposite the mouth of Muddy Creek, just below and adjoining his earlier purchase from Solomon. This was a portion of the tract of 250 acres purchased by Solomon in 1761. The deed (see Rowan County Deed Book 11, p. 436) was signed by mark by Solomon and his wife, Sarah, and was witnessed by two of Solomon's sons (Solomon Sparks, Jr., and Joseph Sparks) and by Jonas's son, David Sparks. One year earlier, 1.2.5.1 Solomon and Sarah had sold the lower portion of this tract, comprising some 160 acres, to Zephemiah Harris (Rowan County Deed Book 11, p. 271). Also in 1788, Jonas Sparks purchased from James Lindsey for 80 pounds a tract of 330 acres 'in the Forks of the Yadkin' (Rowan County Deed Book 11, p. 630), and the following year sold to Roland Jones for 35 pounds a portion of this land comprising 111 acres (Rowan County Deed Book 11, p. 747). On October 29, 1789, Jonas Sparks sold to his son, William Sparks, for 40 pounds, the tract of 82? acres on the Yadkin River that he had bought from Solomon Sparks in 1788. (See Rowan County Deed Book 11, p. 835.)
The 1790 census of Rowan County, North Carolina, lists three Sparkses living in the Salisbury District as follows:
| Jonas Sparks | 2 males over 16 | 3 males under 16 | 3 females |
| David Sparks | 1 male over 16 | 2 males under 16 | 1 female |
| William Sparks | 1 male over 16 | 2 males under 16 | 3 females |
The extra male over 16 years of age living with 1.2.5.6 Jonas Sparks was his son, 1.2.5.6.2 Jonas Sparks, Jr., who did not marry until 1796. Perhaps the three males under 16 were his wife's children by one of her previous marriages, since Jonas's will makes it clear he had only three sons. David and William were his other two Sons; both of whom had married and had children prior to 1790.
On August 17, 1804, Jonas Sparks sold to Lewis Little, his stepson, a tract of 100 acres for 100 pounds (Rowan County Deed Book 19, p. 194). Then, on May 3, 1805, just a few days before writing his will, Jonas Sparks sold 120 3/4 additional acres of his land on the Yadkin River to his son William for 600 pounds.
On May 11, 1805, Jonas Sparks made his will. He described himself as 'very weak in body' and he apparently died soon afterward. He signed with his mark, probably because of his illness. It reads as follows: (See Rowan County Will Book D, p. so.)
In the name of God, Amen, the 11th of May 1805. I Jonas Sparks, of Rowan being very weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanx be to God for it, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make [and] ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first of all I give & recommend my soul unto the hands of God who gave it & for my body I recomend it to the earth to be buried in a descent and christian like maner at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting, but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again, by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate, where with it had pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give, devise and dispose in the following manner and form:
I give & bequeath unto my well beloved wife Mary Sparks, the dwelling house where I now live and a sufficient maintenance of the plantation during widowhood or lifetime, one desk, a bay mare & six pewter plates & two pewter basons, one flax wheel, one bottle, one pot, one old small pot, one looking glass, one coffee mu, one corner cuberd, one grddel, pare of dogs, one old coper kettel, one stillard.
I give & bequeath unto my son Jonas Sparks, junr., dec[eased] widow, Anna Sparks during her widowhood the land & plantation where she now lives.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my grandson Joseph Sparks, son of Jonas Sparks, jun. & his heirs forever all the land & plantation and premisses with all the pertanning their unto where I now live.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my daughter Rachel Griggs one silver dollar & no more.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my daughter Easter Caton one silver dollar & no more.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Bryant one silver dollar & no more.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my son William Sparks one silver dollar & one half of the waggon which we have now in use between us for the use of both the plantation and one third of the fishery.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my son David Sparks one silver dollar & one third of the fishery.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my three grand children, my son Jonas Sparks children, Elizabeth Sparks, Jamixnah Sparks and Joseph Sparks, the balance of all my stock of every kind with the ballance of my house hold furniture & plantation utintinals to be equally davided between them three children. And further I do by this present, constitute and appoint my son David Sparks & Josuah Caton my whole & sole executors and administrators & I do utterly disallow, revoke and disanull every other former testaments, wills, legacies & executors by me in any way before this time named, willed & bequeathed ratify & confirming this & no other to be my last will & testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this day & year above written.
| [Witnesses:] Rowland Jones Jacob Hill |
his Jonas X Sparks(Seal) mark |
As was noted earlier, the wife named Mary whom Jonas Sparks named in his will, was his second wife, and he had no children by her. We may assume that he named all of his living children in his will, as well as his deceased son, Jonas, Jr. It is possible, however, that there was a daughter omitted, perhaps because she had died earlier without issue. Lewis Little, born November 4, 1770, a son of Daniel Little and his wife Mary (who became Jonas Sparks's second wife), is known to have married a Tabitha Sparks. Since there was this family connection and because Jonas Sparks sold land to Lewis Little in 1804, it is possible that Tabitha was another daughter of Jonas; perhaps she had died prior to 1805.
We have not been able to determine the order of birth of the children of Jonas Sparks named in his will. We know that Esther was born in 1770 and Elizabeth in 1765, but since he named Esther before Elizabeth in his will, it is apparent that Jonas Sparks did not name them in the order of their birth. Following are the data we have been able to gather on the children of Jonas Sparks (numbers from Whole No. 101):
1.2.5.6.1 William Sparks probably was born during the early 1760's, since he had a daughter who was married in 1801. His wife's name was Mourning MNU. The earliest record that identifies her as his wife is a deed dated 1812. She was still living at the time of his death in 1822 or early in 1823.
As noted earlier, on October 29, 1789, William Sparks purchased from his father for 40 pounds a tract of 82? acres on the Yadkin River which Jonas Sparks had purchased from Solomon Sparks the year before. (Rowan County Deed Book 11, p. 835) Until 1805, this seems to have been the only land William Sparks owned in Rowan County. It was located in that section that is now Davie County. The 1802 tax list of Rowan County has been preserved and indicates that William Sparks was taxed that year for 82? acres of land and one slave. On May 3, 1805, only a short time before he died, Jonas Sparks sold another tract on the Yadkin (120 3/4 acres) to his son William for 600 pounds. On November 9, 1811, William Sparks sold both of these tracts to Nathaniel Markland of Stokes County for $1,250 (Rowan County Deed Book 22, p. 317). Shortly after selling this land, William Sparks moved to Kentucky, settling in what is now Oldham County, then a part of Jefferson County.
On June 15, 1812, William Sparks purchased for $945 a tract of land in what is now Oldham County, Kentucky, from Joseph Oglesby and his wife, Ann. (See Jefferson County Deed Book 9, p. 376) This tract was located on Floyd's Creek. On the same date, William Sparks mortgaged a part of this land for $322 to William Taylor, Charles Ellis, and Wilson Mallen of Shelby County, Kentucky. (See Jefferson County Deed Book 9, p. 376) Mourning Sparks signed this deed with her husband. On March 1, 1816, William and Mourning Sparks sold 61 acres of this tract to their son, Hampton Sparks, for $120. (See Jefferson County Deed Book K, p. 146) On the same date they also sold a similar portion to their son, Ephraim Sparks (also recorded in Deed Book K, p. 147).
William Sparks made his will on November 18, 1822, and died sometime prior to April 14, 1823, when his will was probated in the county courthouse at Louisville. This document reads as follows: (From Jefferson County, Kentucky, Will Book 2, page 220.)
I, William Sparks, of the County of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, being in a perfect state of health and of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, I do ordain and declare this my last will and testament in form and manner following:
1. Item. It is my will and desire that my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.
2. Item. I give and bequeath to my loved wife, Morning Sparks, my plantation with sufficient timber for her support during her life; also two feather beds and furniture; also two heffers and one rone mare with a oauld face; also my kitchen furniture; also my flock of sheep.
3. Item. I do give to my son, Hampton Sparks, the tract of land where he now lives containing of sixty-two acres.
4. Item. I do give to my son, Ephraim Sparks, the tract of land where Molen Pain now lives containing one hundred two acres.
5. Item. I do give to my son, David Sparks, the balance of my land where I now live containing one hundred fifty one acres, and also one rone calf.
6. Item. I do give to my daughter Fanny one pided filly.
7. Item. I do give to my daughter Nancy one cow and calf.
8. Item. It is my desire that at the death of my widow all the rest of my property should be ecally [sic] divided among my daughters. I do hereby ordain and appoint my son, Hampton Sparks, and son-in-law Rowland Hampton, my whole and sole ecrs. to this last will and testament. In witness 'whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of November, 1822.
Attested signed and sealed and delivered to: William Sparks (seal).
Joseph Wilhite (seal)
his
Willis X Griggs
mark
State of Kentucky: At a County Court held in Jefferson County in the state aforesaid at the Court House in Louisville on the 14th day of April 1823, the within instrument of writing was produced in Court and proved to be the last will and testament of William Sparks, deceased, by oaths of John Brown and Joseph Wilhite, subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and it is recorded in my office.
Test: Worden Pope, Clk.
An inventory of the estate of William Sparks was made on June 5, 1823, by William Brown, William P. Rodman, and David Hampton. A sale of this personal property took place soon after the inventory was made; it was not recorded at the courthouse until July 3, 1826, however. This list of property provides an interesting insight into the way of life at this period of history--note that Mourning Sparks, widow of William, purchased several items: (From Jefferson County Court Records, Book 6, p. 187)
List of Sail [sic] of Property of William Sparks, deceased.
| Benjamine Wilhoite | 1 | Age | $1.43 3/4 |
| John Brown | 1 | Pare of sheep shares | 1.67 1/4 |
| William Brown | 1 | Pare pinchers | .50 |
| Hampton Sparks | 1 | Bell and other | 1.37 1/2 |
| Benjamine Wilhoite | 1 | hoe | 1.67 1/2 |
| Blueford Noel | 1 | Axe | .43 3/4 |
| Blueford Noel | 1 | Pare cumperses | 5.29 |
| Hampton Sparks | 1 | Wedge | 2.00 |
| Blueford Noel | 1 | Log chain | 3.00 |
| Hampton Sparks | 1 | Log Saw | 3.62 1/2 |
| William Brown | 1 | Flax Chackle | .31 1/2 |
| Benjamin Wilhoite | 1 | saw | .50 |
| Joseph Wilhoite | 1 | Large auger | .62 1/2 |
| John Brown | 1 | cooper adze | 2.00 |
| Hampton Sparks | 1 | Pare of shears | 1.25 |
| David Hampton | 1 | Broad Axe | 2.00 |
| Henry Snyder | 1 | Grass Scythe | 1.62 1/2 |
| Henry Snyder | 1 | lot tools | .37 1/2 |
| Wiley Gregg | 1 | Shovel Plow | 5.00 |
| Joseph Wilhoite | 1 | shovel plow | 2.00 |
| William P. Rodman | 1 | collar | 1.75 |
| Joseph Wilhoite | 1 | hoe | .62 1/2 |
| Blueford Noel | 1 | Pare of Doubletrees | 3.37 1/2 |
| Hampton Sparks | 1 | lot of Tobo. | 26.62 1/2 |
| Hampton Sparks | 1 | empty Hogshead | 1.50 |
| Rowland Hampton | 1 | cutting box | 2.25 |
| John Brown | 1 | hogshead preped [tobacco] | 11.37 1/2 |
| Blueford Noel | 1 | horse | 20.00 |
| Blueford Noel | 1 | half bushe | l.25 |
| Widow Sparks | 1 | Sow and pigs | 2.00 |
| Widow Sparks | 1 | steers | 10.00 |
| William P Rodman | 11 | geese | 4.58 1/2 |
| Fanny Sparks | 1 | Saddle and Bridle | 8.12 1/2 |
| Widow Sparks | 1 | table | 8.00 |
| Widow Sparks | 1 | upboard | 5.00 |
| Benjamin Wilhoite | 1 | wheel [i.e. spinning wheel] | .41 3/4 |
| Fanny Sparks | 1 | Loom | 5.00 |
Total amount of sale of property of William Sparks, deceased $149.18 1/2
[signed] Hampton Sparks
Rowlan Hampton
At a county Court held for Jefferson County in the state aforesaid at the Court House in Louisville on the 3rd of July 1826, the foregoing sale of the estate of William Sparks, deceased, was returned to said Court and ordered to be recorded and it is recorded.
Test: Worden Pope, Clk.
1.2.5.6.1 William Sparks did not name all of his children in his will; he omitted the names of four daughters. However, when his son, Hampton Sparks, died without issue and his estate was divided among his brothers and sisters, or their heirs, we find what is doubtless a complete list of William Sparks's children. In all probability, Mourning was William's only wife and was the mother of his children, although we have no proof. Since a son was named Hampton and a David Hampton was one of those who took inventory of his estate, Mourning's maiden name may well have been Hampton. Their daughter, Sarah, married Rowland Hampton. Following is a list of the children of William Sparks; we cannot be certain of the order of their birth:
1.2.5.6.1.1 Hampton Sparks, son of William Sparks, was born ca. 1790 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died ca. 1865 in Oldham County, Kentucky. He married Sarah Blake in Stokes County, North Carolina, in 1809 (marriage bond dated January 14, 1809). She was a daughter of John and Mary Blake; she was born ca. 1785 and died July 19, 1858, in Oldham County. When the estate of Hampton Sparks was settled in 1865, his property was divided among his brothers and sisters, or their hairs, indicating that he had no children.
1.2.5.6.1.2 Ephraim Sparks, son of William Sparks, was born ca. 1793 in Rowan County, North Carolina; he was still living in 1860, aged 67 according to the census of Fayette County, Tennessee. Just prior to his family's removal from Rowan County, he married Sarah Douthit in 1811. The marriage bond was dated August 10, 1811. On March 1, 1816, William and Mourning Sparks sold part of their tract of land on Floyd's Creek in Jefferson County (now Oldham County) to Ephraim. (See Jefferson County Deed Book K, p. 147) On October 20, 1821, Ephraim sold this land to Ellis Haney for $600 (Book T, p. 451) and moved to Alabama, where his daughter, Frances, was born ca. 1822. by 1830 he had moved to Hardeman County, Tennessee; by 1850 he was living in Tippah County, Mississippi, which adjoined Hardeman County, Tennessee, on the south. His occupation was given as 'carpenter' on the 1850 census; his age was given as 57--that of his wife, Sarah, as 63. by 1860, he had moved to Fayette County, Tennessee, where he was listed in the census as an 'overseer,' without property. Living with him was James Holland, a 'laborer' aged 17, born in Alabama; also Rebecca Overby, aged 13, born in Mississippi--she was credited with $3,000 worth of personal property.
From census records, it would appear that Ephraim and Sarah (Douthit) Sparks were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.6.1.2.1 Dau1 Sparks,
1.2.5.6.1.2.2 Dau2 Sparks, and
1.2.5.6.1.2.3 Dau3 Sparks.From earlier census, it appears that Ephraim and Sarah Sparks had three older daughters who had either died or married by the time the 1850 census was taken.
1.2.5.6.1.2.4 Thomas J. Sparks, son of Ephraim and Sarah (Douthit) Sparks, was born ca. 1817 in Kentucky. He was a farmer and was living next to his father in Tippah County, Mississippi, when the 1850 census was taken. His wife's name was Penelope, born ca. 1820. Their children as listed in 1850 were:
1.2.5.6.1.2.4.1 Eliza Sparks, born ca. 1834 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.1.2.4.2 Martha Sparks, born ca. 1836 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.1.2.4.3 Benjamin F. Sparks, born ca. 1838 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.1.2.4.4 Sarah J. Sparks, born ca. 1841 in Mississippi.
1.2.5.6.1.2.4.5 Joseph Sparks, born ca. 1843 in Mississippi.
1.2.5.6.1.2.4.6 Joan Sparks, born ca. 1846 in Mississippi.
1.2.5.6.1.2.4.7 James Sparks, born in 1850 in Mississippi; his age was given as 6 months on November 6, 1850.1.2.5.6.1.2.5 William J. Sparks, son of Ephraim and Sarah (Douthit) Sparks, was born ca. 1820 in Kentucky. He was listed as a carpenter on the 1850 census of Tippah County, Mississippi, and he was living beside his parents (he on one side, his brother Thomas on the other). His wife's name was given as Sarah M. Sparks, born ca. 1826. Like the rest of the family, he had moved away from this section of Mississippi by 1860 - - where, we do not know. His children, as listed on the 1850 census, were:
1.2.5.6.1.2.5.1 James E. Sparks, born ca. 1843 in Mississippi.
1.2.5.6.1.2.5.2 Christopher W. Sparks, born ca. 1846 in Mississippi.
1.2.5.6.1.2.5.3 Clementine C. Sparks, born ca. 1847 in Mississippi.
1.2.5.6.1.2.5.4 Thomas V. Sparks, born in 1850 in Mississippi; his age was given as 9 months on November 6, 1850.1.2.5.6.1.2.6 Hampton Sparks was born ca. 1826 in Tennessee. He was living with his parents in Tippah County, Mississippi, in 1850; his occupation was given as 'grocer.' He had left Tippah County by 1860.
1.2.5.6.1.2.7 Frances Sparks was born ca. 1822 in Alabama. She was living with her parents in Tippah County, Mississippi, in 1850.
1.2.5.6.1.2.8 Elizabeth Sparks was born ca. 1829 in Tennessee. She was living with her parents in Tippah County, Mississippi, in 1850.
1.2.5.6.1.2.9 Agnes Sparks was born ca. 1833 in Tennessee. She was living with her parents when the 1850 census was taken.1.2.5.6.1.3 David Sparks, son of William Sparks, was born ca. 1807 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He married Mary B. (or perhaps her maiden name began with 'B') prior to 1830. When the 1830 census was taken, he was living in Oldham County, Kentucky, formerly a part of Jefferson County, and had one son under five years of age. There are a number of deeds on record in Oldham County recording his purchase and sale of land. He was still living in 1865 when his brother, Hampton's, estate was settled. From census records, we know that David and Mary B. Sparks had the following children, all born in Kentucky--perhaps others:
1.2.5.6.1.3.1 G. W. Sparks, born ca. 1827; probably the George Washington Sparks who married Edinonia Blakemore in Oldham County on November 3, 1864. [Webmaster: a note, in some douments, indicates that this was William C. Sparks, born February 1, 1829; died September 2, 1852; unmarried.]
1.2.5.6.5.3.2 Lucy Sparks, born ca. 1834.
1.2.5.6.5.3.3 Frederick Sparks, born ca. 1836; he married Mary MNU and by 1860 had children named:1.2.5.6.1.3.3.1 Sarah Sparks,
1.2.5.6.1.3.3.2 Ida Sparks, and
1.2.5.6.1.3.3.3 Eugene Sparks.1.2.5.6.1.3.4 Elizabeth Sparks, born ca. 1838.
1.2.5.6.1.3.5 John F. (or Frank) Sparks, born ca. 1843.
1.2.5.6.1.3.6 A. M. (or Mitchell) Sparks, born ca. 1846; he married Maggie Ragsdale in Oldham County, Kentucky, December 24, 1868.1.2.5.6.1.4 Elizabeth (Betsey) Sparks, daughter of William. She married John Boulwar or Boulvare in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1801. She had apparently died prior to 1865 when her brother Hampton's estate was settled, for reference was made simply to B. Boulvare's heirs.
1.2.5.6.1.5 Esther Sparks, daughter of William. She married Christian Stipe in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1806 (marriage bond dated December 9, 1806), before the family moved to Kentucky. She had apparently died before 1865 for in the settlement of the estate of her brother, Hampton Sparks, mention was made of her heirs.
1.2.5.6.1.6 Alice Sparks, daughter of William Sparks. Her name was given as Alice Brown when her brother Hampton's estate was settled in 1865. She had died by then f or reference was made to her heirs.
1.2.5.6.1.7 Sarah Sparks, daughter of William Sparks. She married Rowland Hampton in Jefferson County, Kentucky, on June 16, 1816. She and her husband were still living in 1865 when the estate of her brother, Hampton, was settled.
1.2.5.6.1.8 Nancy Sparks, daughter of William Sparks. She married Wiley Griggs in Jefferson County, Kentucky, on August 1, 1822. In the settlement of the estate of her brother Hampton in 1865, reference was made to Nancy Grigg's heirs. This was probably the Wiley and Nancy Griggs who were living in Hardeman County, Tennessee, in 1850. (His age was given as 53, hers as 45, and the birth place of each was given as North Carolina.) Living with them was B. H. Sparks, aged 24, born in Tennessee, and by profession a 'clerk.' He was probably a nephew of Mary.
1.2.5.6.1.9 Fanny Sparks, daughter of William Sparks. She was born May 13, 1804 and died June 1, 1846. She married Isham Wilhoite in Jefferson County, Kentucky, on October 2, 1823. by 1840 she and her husband were living in Bureau County, Illinois. She had died by 1865 for in the settlement of the estate of her brother Ephraim, mention was made of her heirs.
1.2.5.6.1.9.1 Warden Pope Wilhoite, born November 11, 1824.
1.2.5.6.1.9.2 Lucy Wilhoite, born January 15, 1827.
1.2.5.6.1.9.3 Thomas Wilhoite, born December 25, 1828
1.2.5.6.1.9.4 Frances Wilhoite, born April 24, 1833.
1.2.5.6.1.9.5 Hampton Wilhoite, born July 6, 1835.
1.2.5.6.1.9.6 Mary Wilhoite, born February 12, 1843.
1.2.5.6.2 Elizabeth Sparks, daughter of Jonas Sparks, was born February 5, 1765, and died June 25, 1863, at the age of 98 in Missouri. She was married in 1786 (Rowan County marriage bond dated February 11, 1786) to Henry Bryan, who was born January 15, 1761, and died August 20, 1820. He was a son of James and Rebecca (Knox) Bryan. Elizabeth was nine years of age when the family left North Carolina for Kentucky. According to Dr. J. D. Bryan, who knew her in his youth, she 'was riding a gentle horse and carrying a baby brother before her' and was 'in the midst of the river when the Indians fired on the rear guard.' She and her husband, Henry Bryan, were the parents of the following children according to a genealogy published in the Sunday editions of the Lexington Herald between February 27 and May 29, 1927, by J. H. Cooper of Lexington:
1.2.5.6.2.1 Joseph Bryan, married Parthenia Bryan, daughter of Jonathan Bryan.
1.2.5.6.2.2 Susanna Bryan, married John Davis.
1.2.5.6.2.3 Joanna Bryan, born 1790, married Chester Wheeler.
1.2.5.6.2.4 Rebecca Bryan, married Joseph Johnson.
1.2.5.6.2.5 Elizabeth Bryan, married Luke Holder.
1.2.5.6.2.6 Mary Bryan, married David Reed.
1.2.5.6.2.7 Cynthia Bryan, married Alonzo Fourtelatt.
1.2.5.6.2.8 James Bryan, died single.
1.2.5.6.2.9 Esther Bryan, born May 20, 1806, died April 15, 1860; married Samuel Morris, who was born September 28, 1791, and died February 15, 1885.
1.2.5.6.2.10 John Wesley Bryan, jockey; married Verlinda Callaway, granddaughter of Daniel Boone; moved to Texas.
1.2.5.6.3 David Sparks, son of Jonas Sparks, was born ca. 1768 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He was still living in 1850, but is believed to have died soon after that date. According to family tradition, David Sparks, when a young man about eighteen years old, objected trongly to his father's second marriage, largely because the woman was of German extraction. Later, however, David Sparks married his step-mother's pretty daughter, Mary Little. A grandson of David and Mary (Little) Sparks remembered that Mary herself always spoke with a German accent.
Our earliest record of David Sparks's purchasing land in Rowan County, North Carolina, is a deed dated September 15, 1798 (Rowan County Deed Book 16, p. 422), by which he purchased from Jacob Crouse for 240 pounds a tract of 241 acres 'on the east side of Dutchman Creek and both sides of Buffelow Creek.' This land adjoined land owned by Jacob Little, Abraham Weltey, and Henry Call. Jacob Little was probably a relative, perhaps an uncle, of his wife. On May 7, 1800, David Sparks sold this same land back to Jacob Crouse for the same amount of money that he had paid for it (Deed Book 17, p. 265). According to the Rowan County tax list of 1802, David Sparks owned 304 acres of land; from whom he had acquired this land is not known--perhaps his wife had inherited it. On September 18, 1806, David Sparks purchased from Jacob Little a tract of 122 acres for 200 pounds 'on the waters of Dutchman's Creek.' (See Rowan County Deed Book 21, p. 60) From later sales, it appears that he must have acquired other land of which we have no record. On January 14, 1815, David Sparks sold to Benjamin Dulin for $980 a tract of 275 acres on the east side of Dutchman's Creek. (See Howan County Deed Book 24, p. 709) On February 10, 1815, he sold to Robinson Mumford, Sr., for $50, a tract of 40 acres Iton the east side of Dutchman's Creek'--according to the deed, this land adjoined land owned by William Dulin (Rowan County Deed Book 23, p. 380). On the same date, David Sparks sold to Jacob Crouse for $376.53 a tract of 158 acres also located on the east side of Dutchman's Creek. This land adjoined that previously sold to Robinson Mumford and Benjamin Dulin.
The reason David Sparks sold his land early in 1815 was that he was preparing to leave Rowan County. He moved west into Tennessee and by 1820 was living in Lincoln County in that state. Most, perhaps all, of David and Mary's children had been born prior to their removal from Rowan County. Whether all the twelve children accompanied them to Tennessee is not known.
by 1830, David Sparks was living in Madison County, Tennessee. Two sons and two daughters were still at home. His son Daniel was also listed on the 1830 census of Madison County. by 1840, David Sparks had moved to Hardeman County in the same state and was still living there in 1850. Earlier he may have lived for awhile in McNairy County. (Note that Hardeman County, Tennessee, adjoins Tippah County, Mississippi, on the north, where David's nephew, Ephraim Sparks, and his own son, Jonas Sparks, were living in 1850.)
David Sparks's wife, Mary, died sometime between 1840 and 1850. David was listed as 82 years of age on the 1850 census of Hardernan County. Living with him at that time was his son, Minus Sparks (sometimes written as Miner, also Minnie), aged 39. Living next to David and his son was a 36-year-old widow named Julia Birkhead. In all probability, Julia was David's youngest daughter.
Apparently David Sparks did not leave a will, and no record of the settlement of his estate has been found. According to records preserved by descendants of David's eldest son, Cornelius Sparks, 1.2.5.6.3 David and Mary (Little) Sparks were the parents of the following children:
[NOTE: See also Sparks Quarterly for September, 1986, Whole No. 135, pp. 2944-2947, for additional information on this family.]
1.2.5.6.3.1 Cornelius Sparks was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, June 11, 1789; he died in Berrien County, Michigan, in August, 1862. He was married in December, 1812, to Susannah Stephens, in North Carolina, probably in Rowan County. She was born October 28, 1794, and died in 1861. Apparently Cornelius Sparks did not accompany his parents to Tennessee; it appears that even before their departure from Rowan County that he and his wife and infant son had moved to Wayne County, Indiana, in the autumn of 1814, Thus it was that Cornelius Sparks joined the great migration to the Northwest Territory from whence had come glowing reports of vast, rich farm lands waiting for the plow.
There is a family traditon that Cornelius Sparks came north at least in part because of his opposition to slavery. One version of the story was recorded by a descendant, Mrs. Mary Park Wille, in 1938: 'His father was angered at a young slave boy who had grown up with him and been his constant companion. He had the boy tied up by his thumbs and whipped to death.' Since even the most cruel slave owner, and there were not many of this type, would scarcely kill a young slave valued at several hundred dollars, a much more plausible version was written in 1903 when a Buchanan, Michigan, newspaper published an article on the family:
'Members of this family relate that it was the brutal acts of slave-holders that was chiefly responsible for the removal of the pioneers from Rowan County, North Carolina, forty-six years prior to the secession of the state from the union. Cornelius Sparks was an accidental witness to the act of a member of his uncle's family. A colored woman had reared a family of white children, after their own mother had died. She was cruelly knocked down with the butt of a whip because she was unable to suppress her grief at the sale of her own son. That was the spark that set the abolition spirit of Cornelius Sparks aflame. He had known of the service of the negro woman to the unfortunate white children, and he resolved to leave the country that harbored such an institution.'
According to this account written in 1903, which was copied for us by Helen Sparks of Los Angeles, a descendant of Cornelius, he and his family made the journey to Indiana by ox team, camping in a tent at night and driving their stock with them. Joseph Sparks, Cornelius' oldest son, was a nine-month-old baby at the time (he was born January 24, 1814). Accoding to this 1903 record: 'On the way they stopped under the roof that sheltered five generations of the babe's mother's family. Along the wayside in Kentucky was the home of the Adams, relatives of the mother's side of the family. Beside the babe, there was his father and mother, his grandfather and grandmother, the father of little Joseph's great-grandmother. The mother of his great-grand-mother had been there, but she was absent that night, although she was living in another part of the state. This strange meeting was occasioned. by some members of the family waiting on the others to come up, as they were known to be moving to the new country across the Ohio.'
1.2.5.6.3.1 Cornelius Sparks remained in Wayne County, Indiana, until 1828, when he moved with his family to Berrien County, Michigan. There he and his wife lived the rest of their lives. They were the parents of the following children. (We plan to publish a more detailed record of the descendants of Cornelius Sparks in a future issue of the Quarterly.) [NOTE: For this record see the March, 1978, issue of the Quarterly, pp. 1965-1984, Whole No. 101.] Children of Cornelius and Susannah (Stephens) Sparks:
1.2.5.6.3.1.1 Joseph Sparks, born January 24, 1814, in Rowan County, North Carolina.
1.2.5.6.3.1.2 Spencer Sparks, born December 9, 1815, in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.2.5.6.3.1.3 David Sparks, born August 14, 1817, in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.2.5.6.3.1.4 Mary Sparks, born July 7, 1819, in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.2.5.6.3.1.5 Elizabeth Sparks, born July 26, 1821, in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.2.5.6.3.1.6 Levi Sparks, born October 3, 1823, in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.2.5.6.3.1.7 Anna Sparks, born September 30, 1825, in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.2.5.6.3.1.8 Ira Sparks, born October 31, 1827, in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.2.5.6.3.1.9 Wilson Sparks, born April 19, 1830, in Berrien County, Michigan.
1.2.5.6.3.1.10 Susan Sparks, born August 1, 1832, in Berrien County, Michigan.
1.2.5.6.3.1.11 Cynthia Sparks, born August 27, 1834, in Berrien County, Michigan.1.2.5.6.3.2 Joseph Sparks was born in the 1790s in Rowan County, North Carolina. This was probably the Joseph Sparks who married Febey Hinkle in Rowan County in 1811 (marriage bond dated January 28, 1811). No further information.
1.2.5.6.3.3 John Sparks was born in the 1790s in Rowan County, North Carolina. He apparently accompanied his father to Tennessee and was probably the John Sparks listed on the tax roll of Madison County, Tennessee, in 1828. He was probably the John Sparks who married Kitty Harwood, daughter of Henry Harwood, of Rowan County, North Carolina, prior to 1819 when he and other heirs of Henry Harwood gave a power of attorney to Richard Smith (another son-in-law of Henry Harwood) to sell land in Rowan County that had formerly belonged to Henry Harwood in Rowan County (Rowan County Deed B ook 26, p. 7). No further record.
1.2.5.6.3.4 Jonas Sparks was born ca. 1800 in Rowan County, North Carolina. His name appears on the tax lists of Madison County, Tennessee, of 1827, 1828, and 1829. In 1840 he was living in Shelby County, Tennessee, but by 1850 he had moved to Tippah County, Mississippi, just over the line from Hardeman County, Tennessee, and near his cousin, Ephraim Sparks. His age in 1850 was given as 49, that of his wife, Rebecca, as 44. Both were born in North Carolina. Their children, as listed on the 1850 census were: (there were probably others born after this date but the family had moved from the area of Tippah County by 1860)
1.2.5.6.3.4.1 Amanda Sparks, born ca. 1830 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.4.2 Daniel Sparks, born ca. 1832 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.4.3 Rebecca C. Sparks, born ca. 1837 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.4.4 Jonas Sparks, born ca. 1841 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.4.5 Laura A. Sparks, born ca. 1846 in Mississippi.
1.2.5.6.3.4.6 Joseph Sparks, born ca. 1848 in Mississippi.1.2.5.6.3.5 Daniel Sparks was born ca. 1802 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He accompanied his parents to Tennessee and his name appears on the tax lists of Madison County, Tennessee, for 1824, 1825, and 1826. He was married in Madison County, Tennessee, on September 17, 1827, to Mary (or Polly) Pull, the same day on which his brother, David Sparks, Jr., was married. He was listed on the 1830 census of Madison County and had one daughter prior to 1830. by 1850 he was living in Henderson County, Tennessee, where his occupation was given as 'miller'; his wife's age was given as 43 in 1850 (born ca. 1807) and her birthplace was Tennessee. by 1860, he was living in Hardeman County, Tennessee. From these two census records, it appears that Daniel and Mary (Pull) Sparks were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.6.3.5.1 Matilda Sparks, born ca. 1831 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.5.2 Susan Sparks, born ca. 1834 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.5.3 John Sparks, born ca. 1838 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.5.4 George Sparks, born ca. 1838 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.5.5 Elizabeth Sparks, born ca. 1842 or 1843 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.5.6 Juliannia (or Julina) Sparks, born ca. 1844 or 1845 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.5.7 Isabella (or Martha) Sparks, born ca. 1847 in Tennessee. On the 1850 census her name appeared as Isabella, but on the 1860 census as Martha.
1.2.5.6.3.5.8 James Sparks, born ca. 1850 in Tennessee.1.2.5.6.3.6 William Sparks was born ca. 1808 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He moved to Tennessee with his parents and in 1850 was living in McNairy County. He moved to Prairie County, Arkansas, shortly before his death, which occurred in 1860. He married, first, Emiline Moore, who was born ca. 1820 in Alabama and died ca. 1851 in Tennessee. His second wife was a widow named Mrs. Lucinda Davis. It is believed that William and Emiline (Moore) Sparks were the parents of eight children, but we have the names of only six:
1.2.5.6.3.6.1 Rufus Sparks, born November 2, 1838, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.6.2 Daniel Sparks, born ca. 1841 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.6.3 Albert or John Sparks, born ca. 1842 in Tennessee
1.2.5.6.3.6.4 Martha Sparks, born ca. 1844 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.6.5 William Sparks, Jr., born July 9, 1846, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.6.6 Mary Ann Sparks, born ca. 1849, in Tennessee.
It is not believed that William Sparks had children by his second wife, Lucinda. For a more complete record of this family, see The Sparks Quarterly of March, 1959, Whole No. 25, pp. 373-4.1.2.5.6.3.7 David Sparks, Jr. was born ca. 1808 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He accompanied his parents to Tennessee and was married in Madison County, Tennessee, on September 17, 1827, to Comfort Moffett, daughter of John Moffett of Hardeman County, Tennessee. He was married on the same day as his brother Daniel. Comfort Moffett was born ca. 1810 in North Carolina. David Sparks, Jr., moved to Prairie County, Arkansas, with his brother William prior to 1860. From the census records, it appears that David Sparks, Jr., and his wife, Comfort (Moffett) Sparks, were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.6.3.7.1 Julia A. Sparks, born ca. 1829, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.2 Fonety Sparks, born ca. 1831, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.3 Sarah Sparks, born ca. 1833, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.4 Spencer Sparks, born ca. 1836, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.5 Comfort Sparks, born ca. 1838, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.6 John Sparks, born ca. 1842, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.7 William Sparks, born January 22, 1844, in Hardeman County, Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.8 Almeda Sparks, born ca. 1849, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.9 Ainanda Sparks, born ca. 1852, in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.7.10 James D. Sparks, born ca. 1854, in Tennessee.1.2.5.6.3.8 Minus Lafayette Sparks (also called Miner and Minnie), son of David and Mary (Little) Sparks, was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, ca. 1811. He remained at home with his parents and did not marry until after 1850. He died April 23, 1889, at Crainesville (now Hornsby), Hardeman County, Tennessee. He married Sarah (Sally) Shinn, who was part Indian, on January 27, 1851, in Hardeman County, Tennessee. She was born ca. 1826. They were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.6.3.8.1 John W. Sparks, born ca. 1851; he married Mary Smith on December 22, 1881.
1.2.5.6.3.8.2 Elizabeth Sparks, born ca. 1854; she married James Sanders.
1.2.5.6.3.8.3 Cornelia Sparks (or possibly this was Cornelius Sparks) born ca. 1856; she (or he) married a Thornton.
1.2.5.6.3.8.4 Thomas Overton Sparks, born ca. 1858; he married Almeda Robinson on September 4, 1883.
1.2.5.6.3.8.5 Mary Ann Sparks, born ca. 1860; she married Nathan Henderson.
1.2.5.6.3.8.6 Sarah Jane Sparks, born ca. 1863; she married William Robinson.
1.2.5.6.3.8.7 Idell Faidy Sparks (spelling uncertain), born ca. 1866; she married William McCann.1.2.5.6.3.9 Elizabeth (or Betsey) Sparks, daughter, was born probably in Rowan County, North Carolina. All that is known of her is that she married FNU Jarvis.
MARY (or POLLY) SPARKS HUNTER Born in Rowan County, North Carolina, February 11, 1797
Died in McNairy County, Tennessee, November 30, 1877Daughter of David and Mary (Little) Sparks Wife of James D. Hunter
1.2.5.6.3.10 Mary Sparks (called Polly), daughter, was born February 11, 1797, in Rowan County, North Carolina, and died November 30, 1877, in McNairy County, Tennessee. She was married in Lincoln County, Tennessee, to James D. Hunter, who was born in North Carolina on December 7, 1796, and died in McNairy County, Tennessee, on December 26, 1865. Both were buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in MoNairy County. They were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.6.3.10.1 Sarah (or Sally) Hunter, born February 27, 1822, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, and died December 6, 1903; she married William Walter Stovall.
1.2.5.6.3.10.2 Hance Alexander Hunter, born July 13, 1824, in Lincoln County, Tennessee, and died March 15, 1916; he married, first, Laura Amelia Moore.
1.2.5.6.3.10.3 Ann Jenette Hunter, born September 4, 1826, and died September 4, 1880; she married Lawson A. Lockman.
1.2.5.6.3.10.4 Mary Hunter, born November 19, 1829, and died August 18, 1859; she married Drury D. Sanders.
1.2.5.6.3.10.5 Louisa Hunter; she died as a child from the bite of a rattlesnake.
1.2.5.6.3.10.6 Sophronia Hunter, born ca. 1833.
1.2.5.6.3.10.7 Leutitia Hunter, born ca. 1834.
1.2.5.6.3.10.8 Nancy Miranda Hunter, born June 23, 1835, and died April 30, 1913; she was married on September 9, 1858, to Jesse Cannon Jackson.
1.2.5.6.3.10.9 (?) Emma Jane Hunter, born ca. 1836, married W. B. Shelton; there is some doubt regarding the identity of this daughter.
1.2.5.6.3.10.10 James David Sparks Hunter, born February 18, 1838, and died May 26, 1923; he married Mrs. Mary E. (Knight) Gooch.We plan to publish a more detailed record of the descendants of Mary (Sparks) Hunter in a future issue. The portrait of Mary, has been reproduced from the original owned by descendants of Margaret Caroline Hunter.
1.2.5.6.3.11 Sarah (or Sally) Sparks.
1.2.5.6.3.12 Juliana (or Julia) Sparks was born ca. 1814. She was probably the Julia Birkhead, aged 36, a widow, who was living next to David Sparks in 1850. According to this census record of Hardeman County, Tennessee, she had the following children:
1.2.5.6.3.12.1 William Birkhead, born ca. 1835 in North Carolina.
1.2.5.6.3.12.2 Eleaser Birkhead, born ca. 1836 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.12.3 David Birkhead, born ca. 1838 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.3.12.4 Mary Birkhead, born ca. 1840 in Tennessee.
1.2.5.6.4 Esther Sparks, daughter of Jonas Sparks, was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, on March 20, 1770. She was married in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1787 to Jesse Caton (the Rowan County marriage bond is dated January 20, 1787). Jesse Caton was born April 20, 1762; he was the son of Jonas Caton and was doubtless a close relative of the Anna Caton who married Jonas Sparks, Jr., brother of Esther. They settled near Marthasville, Warren County, Missouri, in 1811. They were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.6.4.1 Noah Caton, married a FNU McDermid.
1.2.5.6.4.2 Jonas Caton.
1.2.5.6.4.3 Jesse Caton, Jr., married Missouri Lamme, daughter of William T. and Frances (Callaway) Lamme.
1.2.5.6.4.4 Elizabeth Caton, born August 16, 1790, died September 20, 1821; married February 22, 1809, John Boone Callaway, son of Flanders and Jemima (Boone) Callaway, and grandson of Daniel Boone. They had children named1.2.5.6.4.4.1 Emaline Callaway,
1.2.5.6.4.4.2 Verlinia Callaway,
1.2.5.6.4.4.3 James Callaway, and
1.2.5.6.4.4.4 Octavia Callaway.1.2.5.6.4.5 Nancy Caton, married Adam Zumwalt.
1.2.5.6.4.6 Jemima Mahala Caton, married John Carter.
1.2.5.6.4.7 Rebecca Caton, married McCutchen.
1.2.5.6.4.8 Fannie Caton, married Daniel Gillis.
1.2.5.6.4.9 Hester Caton, married H. C. Lynn.
1.2.5.6.5 Jonas Sparks, Jr. Although mentioned first in his father's will, it is doubtful that he was the oldest son. He was married in 1796, so we may guess that he was born in the early 1770s, perhaps while the family was seeking a new home in Kentucky, or perhaps he was the baby brother that Elizabeth was carrying on her horse when the Indians attacked. It was on October 15, 1796, that Jonas Sparks, Jr., obtained a marriage bond to marry Anna Caton (spelled Anney Katon on the marriage bond). John Hill was his bondsman; the witness was John Rogers. In 1802, Jonas Sparks, Jr., was taxed in Capt. Phillip's District of Roway County for 100 acres of land. Between this date and the making of his father's will in May, 1805, he died. He and his wife, Anna (Caton) Sparks, had the following children:
1.2.5.6.5.1 Elizabeth Sparks, daughter of Jonas Sparks, Jr., and his wife Anna (Caton) Sparks, was born between 1797 and 1805. On May 7, 1807, her uncle, David Sparks, was appointed her guardian; she was called 'Betsy Sparks' on this record. On February 16, 1815, Samuel Jones was made her guardian in place of David Sparks, who was about to move to Tennessee. It was probably this Elizabeth Sparks who married Benjamin Dulin in 1815 (Rowan County marriage bond dated December 9, 1815; David Call, bondsman; John Marsh, Sr., witness.)
1.2.5.6.5.2 Jemima Summers Sparks was born between 1797 and 1805. On May 7, 1807, her uncle, David Sparks, was appointed her guardian. On February 16, 1815, Samuel Jones was appointed her guardian to take the place of David Sparks, since he was about to move to Tennessee. It was probably this Jemima Summers Sparks who married Daniel Fults (or Felts) in 1816 (Rowan County marriage bond dated September 2, 1816; James Orrell, bondsman; Thomas Hampton, witness).
1.2.5.6.5.3 Joseph Sparks was born between 1797 and 1805. On February 2, 1808, his uncle, William Sparks, was appointed his guardian. On August 12, 1814, Samuel Jones was appointed to take William Sparks's place as guardian, since he had moved to Kentucky. Joseph Sparks inherited from his grandfather, Jonas Sparks, Sr., the old homestead on the Yadkin River and appears to have lived in Rowan County for a number of years. He may have been the Joseph Sparks who married Polly Call in 1814 (Rowan County marriage bond dated December 15, 1814). The bondsman for this marriage was also named Joseph Sparks, and was probably the son of David Sparks, a brother of Jonas Sparks, Jr. The witness was Jesse Walker. The last deed for land sold by Joseph Sparks in Rowan County is dated January 2, 1832, by which he sold 140 acres on Brian's Mill Creek to James Wood. One of the witnesses was named John Call (see Rowan County Deed Book 32, p. 52). Joseph Sparks lived in that part of Rowan County that was cut off and became Davie County in 1836, and he was listed there on the 1840 census as between 40 and 50 years of age. A female in his household, doubtless his wife, was listed in the same age category, and there were also enumerated two males between 15 and 20, 1 male between 10 and 15, and one male under 5 years; also a female between 5 and 10. The only Sparks family listed on the 1850 census of Davie County was that of a fifty-one-year-old widow, Martha E. Sparks. She may have have been the widow of Joseph Sparks, but if so, she was either a second wife or perhaps it was not this Joseph Sparks who married Polly Call in 1814. Living with Martha E. Sparks in 1850 were the following, all born in Davie County:
1.2.5.6.5.3.1 James Sparks, aged 22;
1.2.5.6.5.3.2 Emily Sparks, aged 19;
1.2.5.6.5.3.3 Harvey Sparks, aged 16; and
1.2.5.6.5.3.4 Charles Sparks, aged 10.
1.2.5.6.6 Rachel Sparks, daughter of Jonas Sparks. She was called Rachel Griggs in her father's will, but there is no marriage bond for her on file in Rowan County; it must be remembered, however, that many early North Carolina marriages were accomplished through the crying of banns rather than through bonds, and that no record was made of the banns type of marriage. (See 'Sparks Marriage Bonds from North Carolina' by William P. Johnson in the December, 1954, issue of The Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 8, pp. 54-55.) Several Sparks deeds in Rowan County were witnessed by Minus Griggs, and it seems probable that he was the husband of Rachel. Rachel's brother, 1.2.5.6.3 David Sparks, named a son Minus, perhaps for Minus Griggs.
Page 1876
Whole Number 96
DESCENDANTS OF 1.2.5.6.3 DAVID AND MARY (LITTLE) SPARKS SOUGHT
Mr. A. C. Little, P.O. Box 397, Conover, North Carolina (28613), is preparing a genealogy of the descendants of Captain Daniel Little (1731-1775) of Roway County, North Carolina. The widow of Daniel Little, whose name was Annie Mary, married, as his second wife, Jonas Sparks. Mary Little, daughter of Daniel and Annie Mary Little married 1.2.5.6.3 David Sparks (born 1768) son of 1.2.5.6 Jonas Sparks by Jonas' first wife. David and Mary (Little) Sparks moved to Hardeman County, Tennessee, sometime after 1800. A record of this family appeared in the Quarterly of March 1964, Whole No. 45, pp. 790-807. Mr. Little would like to correspond with descendants of David and Mary (Little) Sparks.