Solomon Sparks

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@R850635740@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=102456297&pi...

GEDCOM Note

Thomas Lynch Montgomery, ed., Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume V, Under The Direction Of The Hon. Frank M. Fuller, Secretary Of The Commonwealth; (Harrisburg, Pa.) Harrisburg Publishing Company, State Printer, 1906.

Muster Rolls And Papers Relating To The Associators And Militia Of The County Of Bedford

[93] County Of Bedford. Third Class.

Jeremiah French. Henry Coms. Jacob Seman. Thomas Ruby. Thomas Pennel. Solomon Sparks. _________________________________

1790 PA Census: Bedford Co. Township not stated [but consistent with later Providence Twp.] p. 236, line 57 Series M637, roll 9

Solomon SPARKS Free white males of 16 years and upwards, including heads of families: 1 Free white males of 16 and under: 0 Free white females, including heads of families: 4 _________________________________

1798 U.S. Direct tax for Providence Twp.

Solomon SPARKS: 1 Dwelling house valued at $120 _________________________________

1800 PA Census: Bedford Co. Providence & Colerain Twps. p. 407, line 17 Series M32, roll 36

Solomon SPARKS Males: 3 (<10); 1 (26-45) Females: 2 (<10); 2 (10-16); 1 (16-26); 1 (26-45) _________________________________

1808 Triennial Tax Assessment: PA, Bedford Co, Providence Twp.

Solomon SPARKS 170 Acres Patent; 100 Warrant; 4 Horses; 3 Cattle; Tavern; $1,928; Tax $7.23 ditto: 243 Acres Patent; 140 Warrant _________________________________

1810 PA Census: Bedford Co. Providence Twp. p. 557, #78 Series M252, roll 46

Solomon SPARKS Males: 2 (<10); 1 (10-16); 2 (16-26); 1 (45+) Females: 1 (<10); 2 (10-16); 2 (16-26); 1 (45+) _________________________________

1820 PA Census: Bedford Co. Providence Twp. p. 83b, line 13 Series M33, roll 98

Solomon SPARKS Males: 1 (<10); 1 (16-18); 2 (16-26); 1 (45+) Females: 1 (<10); 1 (10-16); 1 (45+) 3 engaged in agriculture _________________________________

[full citation needed for the following reference:]

Bedford County SS. Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Solomon Sparks Aged Sixty Eight years who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was acquainted with Hugh Means and knows that the said Hugh Means was an officer in the Regular service in the War of the Revolution. Deponent saith said Means was an Ensign. Deponent saith he was Inlisted by Ensign Hugh Means and served under him to the End of the war and further saith not. Sworn & subscribed to the 1st day of January 1829.

{signed} Solomon Sparks

Before me: Charles Ashcom _________________________________

1830 PA Census: Bedford Co. Providence Twp. p. 115

Solomon SPARKS Males: 1 [15-20]; 1 [20-30]; 2 [30-40]; 1 [70-80] Females: 2 [5-10]; 1 [15-20]; 1 [30-40]; 1 [40-50]; 1 [60-70] _________________________________

Bedford County, PA Will Book 3, p. 125. Abstract.

Solomon SPARKS, late of Providence Township Will dated 10 January 1821, probated 24 April 1838 Wife Rachael children Abraham, Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Delilah, Rachael, Joseph, Jonah, John, Solomon grandson William Latta Executors: wife Rachael and eldest son Abraham Witnesses: Joseph Sparks, Abraham Martain _________________________________

THE SPARKS QUARTERLY, December 1986, Whole No. 136., pp 2959-60

Solomon Sparks, son of Joseph (428) and Mary (McDaniel) Sparks was born on July 13, 1760, in Frederick County, Maryland, according to the inscription on his tombstone in the Providence Union Church Cemetery in Bedford County, PA.; however, he stated that he had been born in 1758 when he applied for a military pension in 1832. He was probably named for his uncle Solomon Sparks (356), who went from Frederick County, Maryland to Rowan County, North Carolina, about 1755. When Solomon was about sixteen years of age, he went with his brothers, Joseph and James, to Bedford County, PA. It was there that he enlisted in Boyd's Ranger Company of the Pennsylvania Militia in the spring of 1782 to fight the Indians who were allies of Great Britain during the Revolutionary War. He served for a period of about fifteen months . Many years later he applied for a pension for his service. The application is printed in THE SPARKS QUARTERLY, March 1955, Whole No. 9, pp. 59-61 and is reproduced as follows:

REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION OF SOLOMON SPARKS

The file number given to the application papers of Solomon Sparks in The National Archives is S4874. State of Pennsylvania, Bedford County, SS

On this 29th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty-two personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Alexander Thompson & his Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County August Term 1832, Solomon Sparks, a resident of Providence Township, Bedford County and State of Pennsylvania, aged seventy four & upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832:

That he enlisted in Bedford County with Ensign Hugh Means of Captain John Boyd's company of troops raised by the State of Pennsylvania in the year, as Deponent believes, of 1782. That Deponent enlisted sometime in the month of April of said year. That said company remained within the County of Bedford aforesaid, then a frontier county, the greater part of said year & and were stationed in said County to act against the Indians then the allies of Great Britain (viz). That his said service was the year after said Boyd was defeated near Frankstown. That said company never joined any regiment during the time of his said service, which was about eighteen months, when Deponent was discharged in Bedford aforesaid. That his said discharge is now lost. That he further relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, & he further declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.

Answers to questions put by the Court--

I was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1758, & have a record of my age at home. I was living in Bedford County when called into service. I lived two years in Maryland after I was discharged & ever since in Bedford County. I was enlisted. I had a discharge from either Means or Johnson, but do not know where it is--never had a commission.

Bedford County, SS

We, William Caldwell, a minister & preacher of the Gospel in Providence Township, Bedford County, & Charles Ashcom, Esquire, both residing in said Township of Providence, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Solomon Sparks who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy four years of age &upwards. That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood were he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & and that we concur in that opinion (signatures).

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. (Includes identification of the witnesses.)

I, Job Mann, Prothonotary (or clerk) of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bedford in the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Solomon Sparks for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Bedford the 29th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. s/Job Mann, Prothonotary.

State of Pennsylvania) Bedford County) SS

Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, Solomon Sparks who, being duly sworn according to the law, saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot state with more precision than he has done, the periods of the war when he served and that his term of service was not less than fifteen months to which length of time he can swear positively--that he held no commission, that he has not any documentary evidence of his service, & and that he does not know any person who can tell anything of them.

Sworn to and subscribed this 6th day of December AD 1832, before me J. Bonnett.

(See also PENNA. ARCHIVES, 2nd Series, Vol. 12, page 460; SOLOMON SPARKSTHE REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER, HISTORY OF BEDFORD COUNTY, published 1884 by Waterman & Watkins)

END OF PENSION APPLICATION

The above-referenced article continues on SQ p. 2959 as follows:

At the close of the Revolutionary War, Solomon returned to Frederick County, Maryland, where he stayed for about two years before returning to Bedford County. It may have been in Frederick County that he married Rachel --- about 1784. She had been born on September 23, 1764, according to the inscription on her tombstone in Providence Union Church Cemetery. On April 16, 1794 , Solomon received 400 acres of land in Bedford County, probably for his service in the Pennsylvania Militia. He also received 200 acres from the state of Pennsylvania.

With the outbreak of the second war with Great Britain in June 1812,Solomon organized a company of riflemen which was mustered into service of the United States on September 25, 1812, and was attached to the 2ndRegiment of Pennsylvania Riflemen, commanded by Col. William Piper. Included in Sparks's company as a 2nd Corporal was his nephew, James Sparks (597), and the roster of privates included another nephew, Joseph Sparks (595), and his own two sons, Abraham Sparks (642) and Joseph S. Sparks (644). The unit saw action at Buffalo, New York. (See Whole Nos. 32 & 33 for accounts of these men and their military service.)

Solomon Sparks was undoubtedly a successful farmer. His home was made of brick which was a bit uncommon in the rural areas of that time. He was also a shrewd businessman and made careful and profitable investments. He made a will many years before his death, for he had accumulated a considerable estate and two of his children had not yet attained adulthood. With a great deal of concern for the details of the disposition of his property, he made his will on January 10, 1821.

FIRST of all. I resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the dust to be buried in a Christian-like manner.

SECONDLY. My funeral and debts are to be paid as soon as circumstances permit.

THIRD. To my beloved wife, Racheal, one-half of the brick house, together with all the bedding, one table, six chairs and all the kitchen furniture. Also one cow and one riding creature.

FOURTHLY. To my son, Abraham Sparks, the home place together with buildings and improvements, reserving only his mother's half of the brick house which is to descend to him at his mother's death. Also 200 acres of land on Owl Creek in Crawford County, together with all my horses, cows and stock, wagons, ploughs, harrows and farming utensils as well as household furniture not already bequeathed; together with all outstanding debts which he is to pay off.

My son, Abraham, is to pay to my five beloved daughters, namely: Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Delilah and Rachel, the sum of $200 each in the following manner: On Jan. 1, 1826, $150 to Sarah; on Jan. 1, 1827, $50 to Sarah and $100 to Hannah; on Jan. 1, 1828, $100 to Hannah and $50 to Mary; on Jan. 1, 1829, $100 to Mary and $50 to Delilah; on Jan. 1, 1830, $50 to Mary and $100 to Delilah; on Jan. 1, 1831, $50 to Delilah and $100 to Rachel; on Jan. 1, 1832, $100 to Rachel.

FIFTHLY. To my son Joseph Sparks, I give the Hagerly place and a 100 acre warrant tract on the Turnpike Road. Also $100 in turnpike stock.

SIXTHLY. To my son, Jonah Sparks, I give the Chapman place on Clear Ridge and also the claim I have to the land adjoining the east of the new bridge on the Turnpike Road. Also $100 in turnpike stock.

To my son, John Sparks, I give the Chaney place adjoining Philip Morgert.

To my beloved son, Solomon Sparks, I give the old place on Clear Ridge and the Calhoun place.

To my grandson, William Latta, I give $100 to be paid to him when he comes of age.

If any of my children should not live to enjoy their shares thus bequeathed, it is my will that it should be equally divided between the surviving heirs.

P.S. I also give my son, Abraham Sparks, $150 of turnpike stock and he is to provide a comfortable living for his mother and provide keeping for her horse and cow and provide for the children until they arrive at 21 years of age.

Lastly. I appoint my wife, Rachel Sparks, and my eldest son, Abraham Sparks, executors of my will. Thus having endeavored to be plain and explicit in all devises, I hope and trust that no dispute will arise concerning them, but if the case should be otherwise, my will is that all disputes shall be decided by three impartial and intelligent men known for their good understanding.

Solomon 'his S seal' Sparks

Witnesses: Joseph Sparks Abraham Martin

Solomon Sparks lived to see all of his children attain adulthood. He died on April 8, 1838, at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 25 days. His will was probated on April 24, 1838. Four days later, his widow, Rachel Sparks, renounced her appointment as his co-executor and his son, Abraham Sparks, was granted letters of administration of his father's estate. Rachel died on February 13, 1842, at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 20 days. She and Solomon had eleven children.

END OF ARTICLE

See also an article appearing in SQ beginning at page 3348 entitled "Further Information about the Descendants of Joseph Sparks (ca.1730-1809) of Frederick County, Maryland, and Bedford County, Pennsylvania. While the article repeats much of the earlier information is it copied in full as follows:

[Editor's Note: A portion of the December 1986 issue of the QUARTERLY, Whole No. 136, was devoted to the descendants of Joseph and Mary(McDaniel) Sparks, early settlers of Frederick County, Maryland. Since the publication of that article, we have received additional information about two of their children, Solomon Sparks and Susannah Sparks. This information has come to us through the interest of Donald Teeter and Timothy King, and we appreciate their willingness to share their records. Mr. Teeter lives at 1522A Old Towne Manor, Cumberland, Maryland (21502). Mr. King lives at 224 12th St. S.E. Washington, D.C. (20003).]

Solomon Sparks, son of Joseph and Mary (McDaniel) Sparks, was born on June 13, 1760, in Frederick County, Maryland. (See also pages 2959-2974 of the December 1986 issue of the QUARTERLY.) He married Rachel Weimer, probably about 1785. She was born on September 23, 1764, and was a daughter of Abraham and Hanna (---) Weimer. Abraham Weimer was a son of Johannes and Wientje (Symons or Simons) Weimer, thus a brother of Adam Weimer who married Susannah Sparks. (See Item G, below). Johannes (Weimer) was born in 1696 in Germany and migrated to the colony of New Jersey where he lived for a while in Hunterdon County. He bought land in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1761 and died in Bedford County, Virginia, in 1780. The surname Weimer was also spelled Wemmer, Wemer, Wimmer, and sometimes Winner. Rachel (Weimer) Sparks died on February 13, 1842, in Bedford County. She and Solomon had ten children, according to records handed down in the Hollar family of Bedford County. They are shown below as recorded in the Hollar Bible. Our readers will note that these birthdates are at variance with those published in the December 1986 issue of the QUARTERLY, pages 2961-2972. Since the birthdates we had received earlier were incomplete, we are inclined to accept the Hollar Bible records as being correct. These dates are given below: (here are listed original SQ dates and Hollar Bible dates.)"

See SQ pps 3348-50 for more information on the descendants of Solomon and Rachel. _________________________________

Providence Union Cemetery, Everett, Bedford Co. PA Findagrave memorials 25608154 & 25608189

IN | memory | of | SOLOMON SPARKS | who was born July 15th | A.D. 1760 and departed | this life April 8th A.D. 1838 | Aged 77 Years 8 Months & | 25 days.

RACHEL | Wife of | SOLOMON SPARKS | Died | Feb. 13, 1842: | Aged | 77 yrs. 4 mos. | & 20 d's. _________________________________