The Family of
MATTHEW SPARKS
& wife Sarah
of North Carolina & Georgia

Page created by Sadie Greening Sparks
Copyright October 18, 2000
NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE

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Matthew Sparks was born about 1730, Prob. in Maryland, and died in November, 1793 in Franklin Co., Georgia, according to his children.  (Parents unknown to me- I have seen conflicting  reports on Matthew Sparks' ancestry.-sgs)

Ancestry of MATTHEW SPARKS from Sparks Quarterly

His wife was named Sarah.  She died after 1828,  in Carroll Co., Tenn, where she had gone to live with some of her children. She is supposedly buried in " Old Pleasant Grove" cemetery, with the piece of shirt with the hole in it, Matthew had on when he was killed by the Indians in Ga. 
(Some researchers claim her name was Thompson-I have no Proof)
One of her descendants, Mrs. Bettie C. Smith, wrote a letter to her nephew Sam Sparks of McKenzie, Tenn, on March 11, 1899, wherein she stated Sarah was a Thompson and that Sarah's mother was Elizabeth Suduth. She made some other statements, which were not completely accurate.

His family migrated to North Carolina, in the mid 1750's, where their children were born.  Records of Matthew Sparks can be found in Rowan County where he served on the Grand Jury,  and was County Commissioner of roads.

Matthew Sparks moved his family across the Blue Ridge into Wilkes Co, prior to the American Revolution, and his sons were involved in the fight for Independence, as is evidenced from their Pension Applications.  Matthew himself furnished  horses & supplies to the cause.

About 1786 the Matthew Sparks family migrated to Franklin Co, (later Jackson, & then Clark Co,) near Athens, Georgia, where Matthew built "Sparks Fort" .  He was killed by the Indians in November, 1793, while out hunting. The claims the family filed for their losses due to Indian depredations were not settled until after 1830. (Sparks Quarterly)

Children:  Sparks
1. John Born 1755 Maryland Died: Feb, 1831 Russellville, Franklin Co, Ala, (age 75 yrs) Served as Lt. in Rev. War from NC, (a group of minutemen under Capt. Andrew Baker) Military marker erected in Sparks Cemetery, 1876. (M) Mary "Molly" Parmley

2. Matthew, Jr. Born Jan. 20, 1759 Rowan Co., NC, near Salisbury Died:  Aug. 14, 1841 Clinton, Illinois 
Served in Rev. War from  Wilkes Co., North Carolina -Pension Appl. # S31385

(M) Margaret ______She d. pr to 1830

Children: Sparks

a. John Sparks b. July 26, 1784 Wilkes Co., NC d. Oct. 18, 1836 Tallapoosa Co., Ala

    (M) Sarah Brooks March 27, 1806 Jasper Co., Ga

b. Jane Sparks b. abt 1787 Wilkes Co., NC d. June 17, 1852 Clinton, Ill.

    (M) William Steel abt 1811

c. Hannah Sparks b. abt 1792 Greenville Dist., SC

    (M) Arnett

d. Margaret Sparks b. abt 1797 Greenville Dist., SC

    (M) Nathan Arnett

e. Matthew Jefferson Sparks b. 1802 Jqckson Co., Georgia d. Jan, 1833 Pulaski Co., Ark

    (M) Mary ____ abt 1820

From Revolutionary War Pension Application of Matthew Sparks, JR

Matthew was born in Rowan Co.,North Carolina,he was about fifteen years of age when his father moved to Wilkes Co.,North Carolina. About 1784 he moved, along with his parents to Franklin Co., Georgia. After the death of his father in 1793, Matthew moved to the Greenville District of South Carolina where he stayed about eight years.  He then returned to Georgia where he settled in Jackson Co. There he participated in the Georgia Land Lotteries in 1803 and again in 1806 .In 1807, Matthew moved to LIVINGSTON COUNTY, KENTUCKY, where he lived until about 1810 when he moved to ILLINOIS Territory where he settled on Silver Creek which is about ten miles from present-day Belleville. He then moved to the Arkansas Territory aboout 1817; In 1830 he was in Pulaski Co., Arkansas. In 1831 he moved to Carroll Co.Tenn. About 1840 Matthew moved to Clinton Co., Illinois. He died in the home of his daughter Jane Steele, on 14 August 1841, in Clinton County.
Sparks quarterly of Sept.1984,and the Dec.2002,for a further update on this family

3. William Born April 3, 1761 Rowan Co, NC Died: 1848 Nacogdoches Co, Texas
Buried: Old North Church Cem., Nacogdoches, Texas
(M) Mary "Polly" (Fielder)   CA 1790 Ga
Dtr of Wm. Fielder & Mary NALL of Jackson Co, Ga.
Served in Rev. War from Wilkes Co., North Carolina- Enlisted in 1778
Pension Appl. # R9960

4. Absolum  Born 1771, Rowan Co, NC Died 1830 Pope Co., Ark

5. Jesse Born July 23, 1773 North Carolina, Died: Liv. 1858 Perry Co., Tenn (On first Grand Jury, Jackson Co, Ga)

6. Nathan Born: 23 Oct 1775, Rowan Co, NC Died Sept 4, 1844 Wilson Co, Tenn

7. Isaac Born 15 Jul 1780  Died 1869

8. Hardy Born: 23 May 1783, Wilkes Co, NC Died 1855 

9. Bailey Born:: 3 May 1788  

10 James

11.David

12 Eady

13 Annie

Ref: LDS Records
Sparks Quarterly (Paul Sparks)
& Various other records

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North Carolina Dept of Archives & History, MARS Index:

Office of State Comptroller, Office of State Treasurer; Military Papers, Revolutionary War Army Accounts; Location: 3B. 518, 

MARS  Id 13.30.53083 John Sparks Vol A, P 237, Vol 1, P 10, Folio 4, Vol XII, P 44, Folio 4

MARS Id: 13.30.53086 (Box)  Matthew Sparks Vol A, P 35, 199, 237, 238, Vol B P 199

MARS Id 13.30.53092 (Box) W. (Wm) Sparks Vol VI, P 80, Folio 3

---------------------------

North Carolina Land Office Records, 

Title: Mathew Sparks, Year: 1760; Office of Sec. of State, Granville Proprietary Land Office, Call No S.108.270-S.108.283 Location: MFR, MARS Id: 12.12.80.51 (Folder) Scope/Contents: Land Entry September 22, 1760, 700 Acres; Dexc; Ref: for land, Yadkin River, South Yadkin River, Rowan County Personal Names: Matthew Sparks (for deed see 12.13.129.22

Title: Mathew Sparks, Year: 1761; Call No SSLG 128G, MARS Id: 12.13.129.22 Scope/Contents: April 4, 1`761, 372 Acres Location: In the forks of Yadkin running up South Yadkin River (2 copies Deed #7)

Rowan Co, NC Deed Abstracts (Jo White Linn)

4-514 April 4, 1761 Granville Grant to Matthew Sparks, for 10 sh. sterling, 372 AC on fork of Yadkin River, Wts John Frohock, W. Lucas, Pvd, July Court, 1761

4-389 April 4, 1761  Granville to Solomon Sparks, for 10 sh sterling, 250 AC on W/Side Yadkin Riv., Wts: John Frohock, W. Lucas Pvd. April Court, 1761

5:228 Aug 28, 1762 Granville to Solomon Sparks, for 10 sh proc. money, 290 AC S/S Yadkin Riv, Wts:. John Agar, John Frohock

5:275 Jan 1, 1763 Solomon Sparks (S) to Jonas Sparks for 5L, 130  3/4 AC S/S Yadkin Riv, Wts:. John Mitchell, John Frohock, Pvd. April Crt, 1763

5:276 Jan 1, 1763 Solomon Sparks to Valentine Vanhouser for 5L, 159 AC  S/S Yadkin Riv, Wts: John Mitchell, Sam'l. Young Prvd April Crt, 1763

5:279 May 30, 1762 Granville to Wm. Cureton, 693 AC on Sparks Cr. of Yadkin Riv.
5:287 Granville to William Cureton. 480 AC on Sparks Crk, a br of muddy crk of Yadkin Riv
5:291 Granville to Wm. Cureton 696 AC on Sparks Crk, adj Wm Gibson
5:60 May 10, 1762 Granville to John Miller, 454 AC b/sides Sparkes Crk adj Jno. Agar, John Frohuck
5:64  Aug 26, 1762 Granville to Peter Fry 185 AC b/sides Sparks Crk
6:380 Apr 15, 1767 John Howard & w/Mary to John Mitchell, merchant for 40L, 103 AC Grants Crk adj. Geo. Bruner, Wts: Solomon (S) Sparks, Michael Miller,
6: 384 Apr 15, 1767 John Howard & w/Mary to John Mitchell for 180L 214 AC N/bank Yadkin Riv Wts: Solomon (S) Sparks Michael Miller

6:139 April 10, 1765 Matthew (M) Sparks & wife Sarah to William Sparks, for 50 L pro. money, 200 AC in foks of Yadkin Riv, at Fish Dam, granted  by Granville, Wts: Thos. Frohock, John Houston, Prvd. April Crt, 1765

6:482 Sept 17, 1767 Matthew (X) Sparks & wife Sarah (S) to William Haden for 150 pds procl. money, 172 AC on Forks of Yadkin River, adjoining William Sparks, granted April 4, 1767 , Wts: Benjamin Taylor, James Whitaker, Pvd. Oct. Court, 1767

7: 88 April 3, 1769 Aventon Phelps, blacksmith, & wife Rachel to Thomas Phelps, for 120L proc. money, 357 AC N/S Yadkin Riv,  1/2 mi. above branch of Reedy Creek, Wts: Adam Spaugh, Jonas (JS) Sparks May Court, 1769

8:104 Jan 27, 1773 William Sparks to William Frohock, for 150L proc. money, 200 AC S/S Yadkin river, in forks of Yadkin bought of Matthew Sparks April 10, 1765. Wts: Henry Zevely, James Carson Pvd. Feb, 1773

1775 Tax List, Surry Co, NC- List of Benjamin Cleveland-Matthew Sparks  3 polls, incl John Sparks, & Matthew Sparks, Jr. 
(Surry Co. cut off in 1770 from Rowan Co)

Rowan Co deed-8:426 Nov 3, 1777 William Frohock, planter, to Joseph Haden, Gent., 200 AC S/S Yadkin, part of tract  in the forks of the Yadkin, grtd. William Sparks by Matthew Sparks, April 10, 1765.

MARS Index-North  Carolina Dept of Archives & History-Title: File No 319, Matthew Sparks, Year: 1780; Office of Sec. of State, Office of Sec.m, Call No S.108.,1067 Location: 0015-0019 Mars Id: 12.14.113.320 (Box) Phys. Desc: Warrants & Plats Quantity: 2 items; Personal Names: Matthew Sparks, Hunting Creek; Land Grant Information: 200 Acres, Surry County, Grant No 318, Issued: April 3, 1780 Entry No: 713; Book No. 41, Page 46 Location: On Waters of North Fork of Hunting Creek (Assigned to William Sparks, See File No 970 William Sparks, Assignee of Matthew Sparks)

Rowan Co.,NC Deeds, cont'd: 1:161 Oct 25, 1783 Wm Poole to Ephriam Hampton, Wts: Jonas Sparks, etal
10-396 George Fry to s-i-l Henry Ripple, 282 AC on Sparks Cr.
10-400 George Fry to Jacob Mock 240 AC on Sparks Crk

County Court Minutes, Rowan Co, NC
July 14, 1764, On Motion of John Dunn Ordered that a road be laid out the Nearest & Bestway from John Howards Ferry to the road from Bethabara to Salisbury near Reedy Creek,running up from said ferry in the fork to Boon's Road & persons following appointed to lay off said road: John Roberts, Edward Turner, Nicholas White, Edward Williams, IsaacHoldman, Capt. Avinton Felps, Mathew Sparks, William Sparks, Francis Taylor, Thomas Jones, James Whitaker.

Need deeds of Wilkes Co., NC 

County Court Minutes of Wilkes Co, NC
June 3, 1778-Ordered by the Court that Rowland Judd, John Robins, Jur John Tyrah, William Owen, Jur John Shepperd, Nethaniel Judd, Barnet Owen, John Baker, Matthew Sparks, Andrew Baker, Jur Thomas Calloway, Robert Blake, Zacariah Wells, Abel Pennington, James Ward and James Lewis or any 12 of them be a Jury to lay out a Road the best and most Convenient way from the Deep fourd on Reddies River to Benajah Penington's mill and make Report there of to the next Court.

7 Sept 1778, ordered Matthew Sparks Sr to be overseer of road from Top of Blue Ridge to Fourd on South fork of New River

10 Dec 1778 ordered all hands in Capt Baker's Company to work on road under Matthew Sparks, overseer

March 1779, insolvents in Capt. Herndon's District include Matthew Sparks (this is confusing and may need to be actually examined on film)

6 December 1779, Matthew Sparks granted 400 acres by State of N.C.

7 June 1780 Charles Rowland to replace Matthew Sparks as road overseer

27 October 1784, deed from Matthew Sparks to Edward Cross for 400 acres proved-That is the last mention of Matthew - He appears in 1785 Wilkes Co, Ga Tax list

Jackson County Georgia Early Court Records-Ref: Georgia Pioneers, Vol 6, by M H Carter

p. 128 -Aug 20, 1798 - William M. Stokes, Dep. T. C., of Jackson Co., to Brantley Sharks, of Jackson Co., 100 a. on Big Shoal Cr., granted in the name of James Stewart but given in by Jesse Sparks, as trustee for the wid. and orphans of Mathew Sparks.

. 224 - Dec 6, 1798 - Thomas B. Jack, attorney for John Jack, both of Hancock Co., to Talbot Arthur, of Jackson Co., 287 1/2 a. on Middle Fork of Oconee, vacant on all sides when surveyed, as will more fully appear by ref. to grant to John Jack, July 3, 1786. Test: William Hutcherson; Jesse Sparks; Absalom Rainey, J. P.

Test: Randl. Traylor, J. P.

1803 Jackson Co, Georgia Taxable Property (Georgia Pioneers, Vol 8)

CAPT SPARKS' DIST.

Incl Matthew Sparks, Absolom Sparks

The following documents have been abstracted from Sparks Quarterly, published by Paul Sparks

Some of these documents are contained in a file called "Indian Depredations" in the Georgia Department of Archives and History, Atlanta. Others have been preserved by a great-great-grandson of Matthew and Sarah Sparks, Kent Sparks of Linden, Tennessee. 

The document that provides the most detailed account of Matthew's troubles with the Creek Indians is a statement sworn by Nathan Sparks, son of Matthew, in Wilson County, Tennessee, in September, 1828. This document reads as follows: 

Matthew Sparks lived in the State of Georgia in the year 1786 until 1793 and was killed by the Indians in Franklin County near where Athens now is and in said date 1786 McGillivroy, and his warriors made their first brake on Sparks's property 
(To Witt) 
2 Spinning Wheels one large patch one -------------------------------30.00 
In the year 1787 one Sorrell mare was stolen to the value of-- 200.00 
one large Bell also---------------------------------------------- ----------------- 2.00 
one Eagle Horse, one Roam mare -------------------------------------- 100.00 
one Black "------------------------------------------------- -----------------------70.00 
1 Brown Bay Horse--------------------------------------------- -----------------75.00 
In the year 1788 one Fort burnt, 3 dwelling Houses ------------ 175.00 
Also the fencing around 20 Acres was burnt value of ------------ 70.00 
Also in the year 1790 one log house burnt by said Indians ----- 50.00 
Also about 20 large hogs stolen and many small one --------------90.00 
In the year 1793 one Bay horse Stolen to the value of -------- 100.00 
Also the said Matthew Sparks was in service of the United States in the Year 1792 and his horse died to the value of 100 Dollars while in service. 

State of Tennessee Wilson County County Court Sept. Term 1828 
This day Nathan Sparks appeared in open Court, and made Oath that the fore-going is a fair and correct Schedule of the property, which Matthew Sparks was in possession of and was the rightful owner of, and which was destroyed by the Creek Indians, under the command of McGilbry their Chief & others who first attacked the whites on the frontier settlements of Georgia - in the year 1786: and the Creek Indians continued their depredations from
the years 1786 up to the year 1793, and the said Matthew Sparks was killed in the Month November 1793, after the great part of his property was either stolen or destroyed by the Creeks. 

The Sorrell mare mentioned in the forgoing schedule as having been stolen in the year 1787 was an animal of uncommon value in those times, and this affiant knows that a Negro boy about fourteen years of age was offered for said mare and refused to be taken by said Matthew Sparks. This affiant also states that the rates at which the several items of property 
are estimated he believes to be upon a fair and reasonable calculation. Sept. 23, 1828 

(Signed) Nathan Sparks 

(Note: On November 6, 1828, Nathan Sparks and William Sparks, sons of Matthew, appeared in Baldwin County, Georgia, and swore to the above.) 

Following the death of Matthew Sparks in 1793, the family continued to live in what is now Clarke County, Georgia, for a number of years. In 1802, Matthew's son Absolom Sparks, still a resident of Georgia made the following statement: 
State of Georgia, Clark Co. - Personally appeared before me Absolom Sparks and made oath that sometime in 1793 about the first week in November in said year he the Sd Sparks lost one horse and in May 1794 he lost one horse which property was taken by the Creek Indians which Creatures was taken upon the warters (waters) of the Oconee Franklin County Sparks fort Which property he has never recd. any satisfaction for. 

Also his mother Sarray (Sarah) Sparks Lost about the year 1794 in the spring three head of horses which was taken on Shole Creek warters (waters) of Oconee Franklin County & which property he the said Sparks has Jus (Just) Reason to believe was taken by the Creek Indians & has Recd. no satisfaction for the same. Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 14th 1802 
(month not given) 
Signed Absolom X Sparks Pr. By Jesse & Wm Sparks His mark 
Although, as seen in the above statement, sufferers from the Creek Indians made claims against the State as early as 1802, it was not until many years later that provision was made by the Federal government to pay these claims. By that time, the heirs of Matthew Sparks were scattered and some of the sons had completely lost track of some of the others. 
(This was by no means an unusual situations in the early nineteenth century when distances were
greater, letter writing more difficult, and mail service less dependable.) 

Five of Matthew's sons, Isaac, Hardy, Bailey, Jesse, and Nathan, along with their mother, Sarah, had settled in western Tennessee by 1828, in which year these heirs decided to make a serous attempt to collect their father's claims. Jesse Sparks, who was living in Hickman County, and Nathan Sparks, who was a postmaster in Wilson County, agreed to journey to Georgia in order to present their claims. 

Jesse Sparks was appointed administrator of his father's estate on September 14, 1829. By the following document (now in the possession of J. Kent Sparks, great-grandson of Jesse Sparks), Jesse and Nathan were appointed the lawful attorneys of their mother and the other three brothers. This document reads as follows: 
Known all men by these present that we Sarah Sparks, Isaac Sparks, Hardy Sparks, & Bailey Sparks have this day nominated constituted and appoint and do by these present nominate continue and appoint Jesse Sparks of the County of Hickman and the State of Tennessee, and Nathan Sparks of the County of Wilson and State aforesaid, our true and lawful Attornies in fact for us and in our names and for our use and benefit, to demand and receive any sum or sums of money which may be due or coming to us or either of us, under or by virtue of any act of Congress in consequence of the destruction or loss of the property of Mathew Sparks by the Creek Nation of Indian and any sum or sums of money that may be due or coming to us either of us, in any way from the Government of the United States or the agent there of, for the destruction of the property aforesaid or for the use of the same by the officers and soldiers of the
United States in the year 1787 or at any other time, and we do hereby authorize and empower them or either of them to execute and deliver receipts and acquittances for the same,... 

In witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and fix our seal this the 11th day of Sept. 1828 her
(Signed) Sary X Sparks 
(Seal) mark 

Isaac Sparks (Seal) Hardy Sparks (Seal) Bailey Sparks (Seal) 

The following agreement was then drawn up regarding the expenses of the journey of Nathan and Jesse Sparks  (document in the possession of J. Kent Sparks): 

Know all men by these present that we Sarah Sparks, Isaac Sparks, Hardy Sparks, and Bailey
Sparks do jointly agree hereby to give unto Jesse Sparks and Nathan Sparks for the trouble and expense in seeking after the property that was stolen and destroyed on the frontier of Georgia belonging to their father Mathew Sparks to give them one half of what they can get out their expenses paid out of our part and if they get nothing they bear their own expenses and we do agree to pay the attorney that they employ as counsel for their fixing all these papers respecting to get pay for said property for which we bind ourselves and each of our heirs for that sum that they shall give said counsel and said fee to be paid out of our part. In witness, we have hereunto set our hand and seals this 11th day of September 1828. 

(Signed) Isaac Sparks (Seal) Hardy Sparks (Seal) Bailey Sparks (Seal) 

Nathan and Jesse Sparks were unsuccessful in their attempt to collect for their claims in 1828. In
1832, a member of Congress, Representative Cave Johnson, presented a petition to the House of Representatives from Jesse Sparks. (See Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, 22nd Congress, page 293.) This brief record, dated February 6, 1832, reads as follows: 

Mr. Cave Johnson presented a petition of Jesse Sparks, administrator of Matthew Sparks, deceased, praying indemnity for depredations committed on his own property, and on the property of his intestate, by Creek Indians. 

Ordered, That the said memorials and petitions be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. 
On March 3, 1834, it was ordered "That the Committee on Indian affairs be discharged from the
further consideration of the case of Jesse Sparks, and that it lie on the table." On September 22, 1835, Cave Johnson wrote of behalf of Jesse Sparks to the Commissioner of Indian Claims in Milledgeville, Georgia, as follows: 

Dear Sir, Two claims have been filed sent on from Washington City--a great part of which is on the Books of the Georgia Commissioners one claim in the name of the Admr. of Mathew Sparks & one in the name of Jesse Sparks--Jesse Sparks has the control of the claims as Admr. of Matthew & in his own right--he is very anxious to know what has been the decision & the amount allowed and desires me to ask of you the favor of informing him what has been done--he is now advanced in life & desires to avoid an useless trip & will be greatly obliged to know when the money is ready--to pleased to address Jesse Sparks Esqr. Duck River Furnace, Hickman County, Tennessee. 

I am very respectfully 
Your friend 
C Johnson 

The letter notifying Jesse Sparks that settlement had at last been made has been preserved by J. Kent Sparks. It reads as follows: 

Executive Department Georgia Milledgeville, 20 Nov. 1835 

Sir, Your letter to Gov. Lumpkin dated 4th inst. reached this department today. About the date of your letter Gov. Lumpkin's official term expired and he has retired. Gov. William Schley directs me to give you the information requested in your letter. 

By the report of the commission appointed to adjust the claims against the Creek Indians, Jesse Sparks is entitled to $70.00 principal and $17.25 interest making $87.25 and Mathew Sparks is entitled to $1112.00 principal and $316.10 interest making $1,428.10. 

If you apply in person, you will bring with you legal and satisfactory evidence that you are the
administrator on the estate of Mathew Sparks dec., which will entitled you to draw the money due him. 

If you should not come in person you should send a duly executed power of attorney authorizing the person to draw your money and also one made by you as Admr. of Mathew Sparks, and in this case be sure to send the evidence to show you are the Admr. 

Respectfully, Your obt. serv. N.B. The money will be paid when called for. 
R. A. Green Secretary

At about the same time that Cave Johnson wrote of behalf of Jesse Sparks, he wrote also on behalf of Sarah Sparks  (widow of Matthew) and her son Absolom. This claim pertained to Sarah's losses following her husband's death in 1793, and to Absolom's own losses. This was the claim made in 1802 and quoted earlier. Cave Johnson's letter, written at Clarksville, Tennessee, was dated July 13, 1835, and reads as follows: 

John A. Cuthbert, Esqr. 

Dear Sir, 

Sarah & Absalom Sparks are claimants under the late law authorizing Georgia to pay for Indian Depredations prior to 1800 & their names on the Books of the Georgia claimants & their papers also forwarded from Washington. 
They are desirous of knowing what time the claims will be acted on & whether the money could be paid to me for them at Washington City, so as to save them the trouble of coming to Georgia--if it be necessary for them to come or send, be pleased to write me at the time, they should be there. 

I am very respectfully

Your obdt. Servt C. Johnson 

No records have been found regarding the settlement of the claim of Sarah and her son, Absolom, but in all probability their claim was paid. Our knowledge of Sarah Sparks, widow of Matthew Sparks, is limited to the references contained in these claims and to Bettie Smith's statement that she was "buried at Old Pleasant Grove; the piece of shirt the ball went through when her husband was killed, was buried with her." 

-----------------------

Mathew Sparks, Jr. made application for Pension for his Revolutionary War Services on Sept. 14, 1832, in Carroll Co, Tenn. (File # S31385)

He stated he was born Jan 20, 1759 in Rowan Co, NC near Salisbury,  at age 14 to 16 with the rest of the family to New River in Wilkes Co, NC.  He lived in sd. county at enlistment , and he lived there for three or four years after the Revolution ,then moved to Wilkes  Co., GA, then moved to Franklin Co, Ga, and he and his father built "Fort Sparks" and his father was killed by the Indians in that neighborhood and the sd. Matthew lived there for two or three years afterwards, then moved to Granville Dist, SC for 7-8 yrs, then moved to Jackson Co, Ga. for 6-7 yrs, then moved to Livingston Co, Ky, and in 1807 or 1808 and about 1810 he moved to about 8 miles of Belleville in St. Clair Co., in the Illinois Territory for 5 yrs, then moved to Muddy Creek in the Illinois Territory for 2 yrs, and in about 1817 he moved to the White River in the Arkansas Territory for 2 yrs, then moved to the Arkansas River some 40-50 miles  above Little Rock, Arkansas for 2 yrs, then moved to the Ouachita River about 25 miles from Little Rock, Ark,. and in August, 1832 he moved to Carroll Co, Tenn., where he lived when he applied Sept 14, 1832, and in Sept., 1840, Soldier had moved to Clinton Co., Illinois to be with his three daughters and he was there in 1841, soldier had referred to a son (not named) who moved from Illinois to Georgia in 1832; soldier's brother Bailey Sparks made affidavit and he had been a JP for Carroll Co, Tenn

John Sparks made application for his Revolutionary War Services (File # S7580)
Oct. 30, 1832, Wilkes Co., NC

"Soldier was born 25 February, 1753 in Rowan Co., NC in about 1772 he moved with his father to Wilkes Co., NC and he lived there at enlistment and he lived there when he applied 30 October 1832, and soldier stated that he had lived in both Surry & Wilkes Counties in North Carolina after the Revolution.  In 1832, a Reuben Sparks was of Wilkes County, (NC)." 

-----------------------------------

Letter of Bettie C. Smith, dated March 11, 1899 to Sam Sparks of McKenzie, Tenn.
Ref: Sparks Quarterly, Paul Sparks

Sammie:

The older ones are, or will soon be gone; when you get to be older you will want to know more than now, who was your ancestors.  When I was a child, old Uncle Matthew Sparks made his home with his brother Isaac, but spent much of his time with Father and Mamma.  I learned of him more than from anyone else.  His father was named John (corrected to Matthew).
His mother was Sarah Thompson.  (Sally Tyson was named for her) He crossed the waters, I never have known where he was raised.

Sally Tyson thought he came from Wales. I don't know where he married.  He went out to kill a turkey one morning and was shot by Indians.  He left eleven ? children.  Nine? red headed boys and two girls.  Here are the names of the boys: David, James, William, Matthew, Absalom, Jesse, Nathan, Bailey, Hardy & Isaac.  The girls names were Eady and Ann.  One of them married a Traylor.  (she names 10 sons-did not name John)

Matthew fought in the Revolution, don't know how many more.  They fought the Tories for all they were worth.  John Captain, and Mathew, Lieutenant.    They got up one morning, horses all gone but one.  They sit granny in a bed on her (horse), and started for the fort, twenty-five miles bare-headed; there they stayed seven years.  Uncle Isaac was five years old, and brother and sister swung by his arm all the way.

Old Grandma buried at Old Pleasant Grove, the piece of shirt the ball went through when her husband was killed was buried with her.  I do not know so much of the Thompson kin, Grandma Thompson was Elizabeth Suduth, Grandma Sparks was Nancy Hancock.  My notion is that if we have any mean streaks in us, it did not come through the Sparkes, while many of them have become adulterated, but the good ones were sure enough good.

You may not care to ever read this, but I don't care, I am going to send it anyway.

March 11, 1899

Signed:

Bettie C. Smith