Jonas Sparks

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Died between 1802 and 1805.

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From Sparks Family Quarterly: [Whole Number 45]

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 1770's, 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:

1.2.5.6.2.1 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.)

1.2.5.6.2.2 Jemima Summers 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. 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).

1.2.5.6.2.3 Joseph Sparks, son of Jonas Sparks, Jr., and his wife, Anna (Caton) 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 Folly Call in 1814. Living with Martha E. Sparks in 1850 were the following, all born in Davie County:

1.2.5.6.2.3.1 James Sparks, aged 22;

1.2.5.6.2.3.2 Emily Sparks, aged 19;

1.2.5.6.2.3.3 Harvey Sparks, aged 16; and

1.2.5.6.2.3.4 Charles Sparks, aged 10.

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