Keziah "Cassie" Sparks

From: THE HERITAGE OF WILKES COUNTY, 1982:

"Reuben Sparks was born in Rowan Co., NC, probably in 1755. His father, Solomon Sparks, was born in Maryland during the 1720s and was probably the son of Joseph Sparks who died intestate in Frederick Co. MD in 1749.

Solomon Sparks married Sarah prior to 1750. They settled near Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC in 1753 and in Wilkes Co. NC in 1772. When the dividing line between Wilkes and Surry Counties was surveyed in 1778, it was found that the line cut through Solomon Sparks' plantation, but according to the court minutes, his house was on the Surry side. Thus, the Sparks family lived just south of the present village of Swan Creeks in the western part of what is now Yakdin Co. NC. Both Solomon and Sarah Sparks died prior to 1800. Their children were: John Sparks, born 25 Feb. 1753, Reuben Sparks, born ca. 1755; Solomon Sparks, Jr., born ca. 1757; Mary Sparks, born ca. 1759; Hannah Sparks, born ca. 1761; Susannah Sparks, born ca. 1763; Joseph Sparks, born ca. 1765; and Abel Sparks, born Jan. 8, 1767.

Reuben Sparks married Cassa Buttery about 1783. She was born about 1765 and was probably the daughter of John and Ann (Allen) Buttery. Reuben Sparks, like his father, owned land in both Wilkes Co. and Surry Co. However, Reuben Sparks seems to have been more oriented to Wilkes Co. and was frequently mentioned in the land and court minutes of that county. He served on juries, helped to lay out roads and was an active member of the South Fork of Roaring River Baptist Church. He served as a delegate to the Baptist Association in 1829, 1830, 1832, and 1834. On March 5, 1835, he sold a tract of 100 acres on the Roaring River in Wilkes Co. to his son, William R. Sparks. On the same day, he sold an adjoining tract of 70 acres to his son, Jonas Sparks. According to the records of Old Roaring River Baptist Church in Wilkes County, Reuben Sparks died at 2:00 am on July 13, 1840.

Cassa (Buttery) Sparks died on June 7, 1842. Reuben and Cassa Sparks had at least eleven children: Benjamin, born 1783; Lydia, born 1785; daughter, born 1787; John, born 1786 or 1790; Solomon, born 1792 or 1793; Jonas, born 1794 or 1800; William Russell, born Jan. 3, 17797 or 1803; Amelia, born 1799; Matilda, born March 1805 or 1807; Reuben, Jr., born 1808; and a daughter, born 1810.