John Sparkman

John Sparkman ca 1680 – will 1728 | his parents
of Chowan Co, NC


This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!


Children of John Sparkman d 1728 and unknown wife:
1. Thomas Sparkman – ca 1705 – bef 1728 Chowan Co
married Margaret [deeds son Stephen her property in 1729]
a. Stephen Sparkman bef 1728 –
2. John Sparkman ca 1704 – 1739 Chowan Co
EX: Robert and William Reddick
married Sarah

a. John Sparkman ca 1724/7 – 1767 Hertford (Gates) Co. 1767
on 1740 tithable list with Mother
Jul 1767 Sparkman, John will adm granted to Charles Eure & Stephen Smith.

i. Mildred Sparkman
married Capt. Charles Eure
ii. Susanna Sparkman
married Stephen Smith
On Nov 1806 DB7-247 Noah Smith of Pitt County gave to Capt. Charles Eure 122 acres with power of attorney from his mother Susanna Smith [of Pitt Co] and Levy Eure, Whitmell Eure & Lucrecy Beeman grandchildren of John Sparkman decd who in his will had bequethed the land to his two daughters Mildred Eure and Susanna Smith.
b. Thomas Sparkman 1726/31 – ca 1789 Gates Co.
of “The Banks of Italy”

on 1747 tithable list

Lewis Sparkman was the son of Thomas Sparkman of The Banks of Italy d. Gates Co. ca. 1789; and Mildred Sparkman was the daughter of Thomas’ brother John Sparkman d. Hertford (Gates) Co. 1767.
Both John and Thomas Sparkman were sons of John Sparkman d.1739, brother to Capt. William Sparkman of Bertie. e-mail from Kendall S
parkman 

i. John Sparkman d 1795 Onslow Co NC
married 1st Sarah
1. John Sparkman
2. Christiany Sparkman 1777/8
3. Treasy Sparkman
4. Jolly Sparkman
5. William Sparkman
6. Miles Sparkman
married 2nd Arcadia Eure
1. Charney Sparkman 1779/80 –
married 1798 Sarah Shepard
a. Katherine [Kitty] [Cate] Sparkman 1817 – bef 1856
married est 1839 William Robert Petteway 1813/14 Onslow Co NC – Jan 1889 Onslow Co NC
i. Lewis Sparkman Petteway 19 Feb 1840 Onslow Co NC – 26 May 1907 Onslow Co NC
ii. Emily Petteway 1842/43 –
iii. John Petteway 1846/47 –
iv. Duncan Petteway 1848/49 –
Katherine Kitty Cate Sparkman born 1817 died before 1856 who married est 1839 William Robert Petteway born 1813/4 Onslow Co., NC died Jan 1886 Onslow Co., NC. They had four children Lewis Sparkman born 19 Feb 1840 Onslow Co., NC died 26 May 1907 Onslow Co., NC, Emily born 1842/3, John born 1846/7, and Duncon born 1848/9. Katherine’s parents are thought to be Charny Sparkman (son of John and Sarah) and Sarah Shepard. e-mail from Dave
3. Susanna Sparkman
married John Erexson
Arcadia remarried Nathaniel Pettit d 1808
4. Sally Pettit
married James Landers

e-mail from Kendall Sparkman
The grandchildren Charney, Lewis and Susannah Sparkman and Sally Pettit are the children by the second wife (as there are older surviving children not mentioned in Stephen Eure’s will) of John Sparkman, namely Arcadia Eure. This John relocated to Dobbs County during the Revolutionary War, and afterwards to Onslow County in 1790. John was deceased by 1795, at which date John was also the father to several other children, including John Jr., Christiany and Treasy, as well as Jolly, William and Miles (the latter three of which preceded Stephen Eure in death). After John’s death, Arcadia remarried to Nathaniel Pettit, who died in 1808. Charney Sparkman, married in 1798, and a witness on Onslow Co. deeds as early as 1798, appears to have been born in 1779/1780, as his next older sister, Christiany survived through 1850 and her birthdate can be established from census records as 1777/1778.This is probably more information than you want, but these family relationships can be traced through the following Onslow County records with respect to 400a of which John Sparkman was seized at his death:

Deed Bk Q, p 59 – Dec 24, 1790. Solomon Ward to John Sparkman of Dobbs Co, NC for 370 pounds 400 acres on Edward Marshburn’s line, on south side of SW branch of New River at a tree near Ward’s cart path and near Old Town Road, to Darby Lary’s line, Adam Luten’s patent line, Isaac Jarrott’s line, and to Mashburn’s great branch (excepting out of this land one-fourth acre for burying ground) 300 acres is part of the 640 acres grant to Edward Mashburn and 100 acres part of grant to Adam Luten for 616 acres. Tests: Charles Lee, David Mills, Shadrack Campbell.

Deed Bk 2 – P 50, Obed Williams, sheriff of Onslow, a judgement against Lewis Sparkman in favor of Creed Dudley. Sells a tract of land to Chaney Sparkman, 400 acres that was property of John Sparkman deceased, Oct 12, 1808.

Deed Book 2, P 65, May 30, 1808. John Sparkman to Chainey Sparkman for 62 pounds 10 shillings, a tract on New River which land I am entitled to by death of my father, John Sparkman, deceased; also my brother Mills, Jolly, and William Sparkman, deceased. Tests: Nancy Ward, Sarah Jenkin.

Deed Bk 2, p 137 – Jan 16, 1805 – Woodhouse Ward bought of Anthony Kinnin and Christainy, his wife of Beaufort Co, NC, for $15.00 all their right, title and claim in all the lands which fell to us by the death of our 3 brothers; namely, Mills Sparkman, Jelty Sparkman, and William Sparkman, the said land having fallen to them by the death of their father, John Sparkman, and we the said Anthony and Christiany Kinnin now sell to Woodhouse Ward. Tests: John and Aliff Ward.

Deed Bk 2, p 234 – May 50, 1808. John Sparkman deeds to Chainey Sparkman for 62 pounds 10 shillings, the land I am entitled to by death of my father, John Sparkman, Sr, deceased, also my brothers Mills, Jolly, and William Sparkman, deceased. Tests: Nancy Ward, Sarah Jenkin.

Deed Bk 5(4), p 155, Jan 9, 1815(1813) – Chaney Sparkman to Lewis Foy of Jones Co. for $525.00 sells Foy all land he holds as heir of John Sparkman deceased, and that which fell to him by death of 3 brothers; Mills, Jelty (Jolly), and William Sparkman; and also the rights of Lewis Sparkman which he purchased at sheriff’s sale. Land joins that of the old patent of Edward Marshborne of 640 acres near Solomon Ward’s cart road, Lary’s line to Adam Lutens old patent and line agreed upon between Isaac Jarrett and Lewis Foy, containing 400 acres. Tests: Isaac Jarrott, Enoch Foy, John Ward.

Deed Bk 7(6), p 134 – Dec. 1, 1816. John Gornto for 35(33) dollars paid by Joshua Foy deeds an undivided moiety of land granted from Chaney Sparkman to Lewis Foy which joins Edward Marshborn’s old patent of 640 acres on the south side of SW branch of New River at Lary ‘s and Adam Luten’s lines, Isaac Jarrott’s, which is land that came to my wife, Treasy, at death of her father, John Sparkman, deceased, containing 33 and 1/3rd acres. Tests: Morris Foy, James Foy, Sr.

Deed Bk 10, p 150 – Mar 19, 1819. John Erixon and wife, Susanna, sold for 40 dollars paid by Joshua Foy, an undivided tract of land being an parcel contained in a deed granted from Charney Sparkman to Lewis Foy joining Edward Marshborn’s patent of 640 acres on the south side of the south west branch of New River to Adam Luton’s line, containing 33 1/3rd acres, it being all our right in the land which fell to Susanna Sparkaman by the death of my father John Sparkman, and by the death of my brothers, Mills, Jetty, and William Sparkman. Tests: Asa Watson, C. Sparkman.

The following powers of attorney recorded in Gates Co. Deed Book 11, page 62, establishes the link of this Onslow County Sparkman family to Stephen Eure:

25 Mar 1820. John Erexson of Onslow Co. appoints Charney Sparkman his attorney to sue and receive from executor of Stephen Eure, dec. legacy left to wife, Susanna Sparkman (as was) in last will of Stephen Eure. John Erexson. Wit: Elizabeth Sparkman, Hosea Williams.

29 Apr. 1820. James Landers of Onslow Co. appoints Charney Sparkman as his attorney to sue and received from executor of Stephen Eure, dec. legacy left wife, Sarah Pettit (as was) in last will of said Eure. James Landers. Wit: Arch B. Higgs, Elizabeth Sparkman.

The following Onslow records also provide documentation:

Jan. 12, 1796. Nathaniel Pettitt appointed guardian to Mills Sparkman with bond of 300 pounds secured by James Foy and Solomon Ward.

July 6, 1798. The estate of Mills Sparkman, son to John Sparkman, deceased, settled with his guardian Nathaniel Pettit by Jas. Foy and Geo. Shepard.

Deed Book 4, p 80 Stephen Eure of Gates County, North Carolina to his daughter Arcady Pettit of Onslow County gives to her a negro girl named Mattitto. 25 Nov 1805. Witnesses Mills Eure, Lewis Sparkman. [Doubtlessly Gates Co. Lewis Sparkman here.]

March 14, 1808. Charley Sparkman appointed guardian to Sarah Pettit with bond of 300 pounds secured by Williams Sanders and Hardy Shepard.

While John could have a been a son of John Sparkman d. ca. 1767, due to his economics among other considerations, I tend to believe that he was the son of Thomas Sparkman d. ca. 1789 and the older brother of Lewis Sparkman of Gates Co

. e-mail from Kendall Sparkman

ii.Lewis Sparkman bef 1753 – 1822/25
married 1782 Elizabeth Hargrove [Harrell]
married 1796 Lucretia Theresa Eure 1773 – 1857
iii. Reuben Sparkman
iv. Thomas Sparkman
c. William Sparkman 1735/36 – 1762
on 1752 tithable list
probate Chowan co – Green, Thomas X:55 15 Sep 1758. Division to: the widow, William Felton, William Sparkman, William Green, Exelfey Green, Catteren Green, Richard Green, Elezebeth Green.
Hertford Co Admin.- Oct 1762 Sparkman, William Will adm granted William Green & Sarah Odom.
[The “Cherry” Sparkman you found in the 1840 census is actually Charity Smith Sparkman, the widow of Willis Sparkman. Her age suggests that Willis was born prior to 1760 and, I believe, thus lends credance to Willis and Reuben being the orphaned sons of William Sparkman d. 1762. e-mail from Kendall Sparkman]
? i. Willis Sparkman bef 1760 – bef 1840
married Charity Smith 1750/60 – aft 1840
? ii. Reuben Sparkman
d. James Sparkman 1731/36 Chowan Co NC – 1784/90 Hertford Co NC
on 1753 tithable list ancestor of Kendall Saprkman
married Nancy Segur/Segar 1728/41 –

daughter of Christopher Segur/Segar and Ann Hunt
e. ? daughter

f. ?daughter
g. ? daughter
3. James Sparkman died ca 1748
probate Chowan co – Sparkman, James Xviii: 28 – [no date] Petition of William Colthred to have adm. on James Sparkman as second greatest creditor, Benjamin Spivey, the greatest creditor, declining.
4. Richard Sparkman
5. William Sparkman ca 1715 – 1785 Bertie Co
married Anna Gardner
a. Edward Sparkman
b. Rachel Sparkman
c. Elizabeth Sparkman
d. Jesse Sparkman
married 2nd Mary Ward
e. William Sparkman ca 1782 –
married 1st 21 Nov 1800 Sarah Leary [Lurry] of Bertie Co
married 2nd 3 Jan 1820 Sarah Brownrigg of Chowan Co
6. Sarah Sparkman
7. Mary Sparkman
[mentioned as orphan in 1734 ct minutes]

Will of John Sparkman 19 April 1728 proved Oct Ct 1728 Chowan Co, NC
“..sick and weak in body..”
son John Sparkman – 1/2 a piece of land upon the Liking Root branch purchased of Henry Hakley being 50 ac more or less.
grandson Stephen Sparkman [son of Thomas Sparkman] the other half of the said parsell
son James Sparkman – all the cattle and hogs of the mark that I gave to him and their increase.
– son Richard Sparkman – two cows and calves and all my hogs that were called his.
– son William Sparkman – two cows and calves and all the hogs that were called his.
– daughter Sarah Sparkman – two cows and calves
– daughter Mary Sparkman – two cows and calves
– sons and daughters Richard, William, Sarah and Mary Sparkman all my movable estate to be divided equally amonst them.
EX: son John Sparkman and John Green
Testors: John Wiggins, John H Horne, John Green

Prosession of Lands Chowan co 2 April 1756 by Jethro Harrell and James Eure
from abstract by R P Fouts
Line between Present
Adam Nite – Jacob Odom Adam Nite and Jacob Odom and John Green
James Eure – Jacob Odom James Eure and Jacob Odom and William Umflet
Mary Green – Jacob Odom James Eure and Joseph Green
Richard Parker – Mary Green James Green, Sr and John Green Jun
John Sparkman – Richard Parker John Sparkman and John Green and James Eure
James Eure – Mary Green James Eure, John Green and John Sparkman
John Green – John Sparkman John Green and James Eure
Mary Green – William Smith John Green and William Smith
Else Green – Thomas Sparkman Thomas Sparkman, John Green, and William Smith
Else Green – William Felton John Green, Thomas Sparkman, and William Smith
William Felton-Thomas Sparkman William Felton, Thomas Sparkman and William Smith
Thomas Harrell -Thomas Sparkman Thomas Sparkman, Thomas Harrell and William Felton
Thomas Harrell – William Felton Thomas Harrell, William Felton, and William Smith
William Smith – Solomon Green Solomon Green, William Smith, and Jonathan Small
Solomon Green – Thomas Noris Solomon Green, Thomas Noris, and William Smith
James Eure, Jun – Thomas Noris Thomas Noris and James Eure
Thomas Noris – Samuel Eure Samuel Eure, Thomas Noris, and James Eure
Samuel Eure – Andrew Hamblonton Samuel Eure, Andrew Hamblonton, and Thomas Noris
James Eure – Andrew Hambleton James Eure, Andrew Hamblonton, and Thomas Noris
Andrew Hambleton – William Umflet William Umflet, Andrew Hambleton, and Thomas Harrell
James Eure – William Umflet James Eure, William Umflet and Thomas Harrell
Thomas Harrell – Epaproditus Jones Thomas Harrell, Epaproditus Jones, and John Odom
Epaproditus Jones – John Odom John Odom, Epaproditus Jones, and Jacob Odom
Jethro Harrell -Epaproditus Jones Jethro Harrell, Epaproditus Jones, John Odom, and
Jacob Odom, Joseph Tomas
Thomas Harrell – John Green Thomas Harrell, John Green, Thomas Sparkman
Thomas Harrell – Mary Green Thomas Harrell, John Green, Thomas Sparkman
Mary Green – Solomon Green Solomon Green and James Eure
Solomon Green – Jonas Taler Jonas Taler and Solomon Green and William Tomas
John Green – Jonas Taler Jonas Taler and Solomon Green
William Lancton – Jonas Taler William Lancton, Jonas Taler and Solomon Green
William Tomas – Jonas Taler Jonas Taler and William Tomas and Solomon Green
William Lancton – Mary Green William Lancton and Jonas Taler and William Lancton

Tax lists of Bertie Co as read by David Sparkman
1755 – no Sparkmans listed
1756 – Wm Sparkman
1757 – William Sparkman 1 white male
James Sparkman 1 white male
William Sparkman & his son Edw’d & Negros Sesor, Beck, & Hanna 5 taxables.
1758 – William Sparkman 4 taxables
James Sparkman
1759 – William Sparkman & Jesse, son Negro Men , 2 Negro Women, 6 taxables
Edward Sparkman 1 white male
James Sparkman listed
1761 – William Sparkman 1 taxable
Jesse Sparkman 1 Taxable
Edward Sparkman 1 Taxable
1762 – Edward Sparkman listed
1763 – Edward Sparkman 1 white male, 1 white servant, 1 Negro woman
Capt. William Sparkman 1 white man, 1 Negro man 3 Negro women
Jesse Sparkman 1 white man, 1 Negro woman
1764 – William Sparkman, blacks Joe, Anna, Beck, & Prisellah, 5 taxables

NCGSJ
1981 p83 probate Chowan co
Green, Thomas X:55 15 Sep 1758. Division to: the widow, William Felton, William Sparkman, William Green, Exelfey Green, Catteren Green, Richard Green, Elezebeth Green.
p.150 Sparkman, James Xviii: 28 – [no date] Petition of William Colthred to have adm. on James Sparkman as second greatest creditor, Benjamin Spivey, the greatest creditor, declining.

1988 p105 Hertford Co Administrations
Oct 1762 Sparkman, William Will adm granted William Green & Sarah Odom.

Apr 1767 Segur, Christopher Will Adm granted to James Sparkman & James Overton

Jul 1767 Sparkman, John will adm granted to Charles Eure & Stephen Smith.
[There was a Lewis Sparkman who married Lucretia Theresa Eure–so there is probably a connection there. Lewis & Lucretia had a son, John however he would not have been born yet. However, John Sparkman whose wife was Sarah [mnu] had a son John born circa 1727 who could have been this John Sparkman and explains why we have nothing on him.]

William Murfree Tax Receipt Book, Hertford County, NC 1768-1770 abstract by Fouts
James Sparkman 1 Tax 1768, 1 tax 1769 and 1 tax 1770
Thomas Sparkman 2 Taxes 1768, 2 taxes 1769 and 3 taxes 1770

NCGSJ 1979 p235 Bertie tax list 1768
Edward Sparkman & Negro Sarah
Jessee Sparkman & Negroes Phillip & Judith
Capt. William Sparkman & Negroes Joe, Peter, Joe, Jemm, Hanna, Beck, Priscilla, Jenny & Judith

NCGSJ 1983 p.136 Hertford co tax list 1784
Thos. Sparkman 50 ac. 1fp [this was probably a brother of James as given below–he married Margaret Stephens/Sephen and would have been between 50 and 65 years of age in 1784]
James Sparkman 175 ac 1fp 1bp

Gates Co 1787 State Census
Reuben Sparkman 1 21-60 1 under 21 or ov 60, 3 females
Lewis Sparkman 1 1 4
Willis Sparkman 1 1 1
Thomas sparkman 0 1 3

Gates Co Census 1790
Lewis Sparkman 2 1 5f 0 1s = 9
Reuben Sparkman 1 1 6f 0 1s = 9
Willis Sparkman 1 2 2f 0 0 = 5
Willia Sparkman 1 0 0 0 0 = 1

Gates Co Census 1800
Willis Sparkman 2<10, 1 10/16, 2 26/45 f 1<10, 1 26/45 cherry born aft 1755
Lewis Sparkman 2<10, 1 10/16, 1 26/45, 1 >45, f 1 10/16, 1 26/45 + 7 sl

Gates Co Census 1810
Lewis Sparkman 2 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1

Feb 1813 – Ordered that Abraham Beeman Esq, William Brooks, John B Baker & Michael Lawrence lay off to Charity Sparkman Widow of Willis Sparkman decd a years provision for her and her family, out of the estate of the deceased. Committee made their report at the August Ct.

Gates Co Census 1820
Charity Sparkman 1 16/26, f 1 >45 bef 1775
Lewis Sparkman 1 10/16, 2 16/25, 1 >45, f 1 10/16 , 1 >45, + 10 sl

Gates Co Census 1830
John Sparkman 3 <5, 1 30/40, f 1<5, 1 30/40

Gates Co Census 1840
Cherry Sparkman 1 30/40, f 1 80/90 [ b. 1750/60 would be 1756/60]
the page with Dempsey, Lucretia and Wells missing from film

Gates Co Census 1850
Penniah Sparkman age 19 living with Taylor Harrell family
Lucretia Sparkman age 71 living with William J Boothe 48 and wife Sarah 46

One thought on “John Sparkman”

  1. Hello Sally,

    Thank you for this site.

    I’m from the Jesse Sparkman line (and I believe Kendall is as well – he and I have been in touch in the past). I think he and I share:

    Jesse
    William Reed (Rosanna Williams)

    And from there I’m from

    Dr. John William Sparkman
    John William Sparkman II
    John William Sparkman III

    I don’t know whether you’ve seen the Roy Denton family tree on Ancestry.com, but since I don’t find Kendall there, I can’t say how complete it is. Roy and I both live in Boulder, Colorado. We’ve corresponded, but we’ve never met.

    Thanks again,
    Ray

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