Frank Marion Sparks

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1920, Matagorda Co, Texas

Notes:

written by James Willis Sparks, grandson of Milam, son of Leslie.

"Milam was born on March 1, 1863 northwest of Eagle Lake, Texas or about three miles north of a place called Metz. Milam was raised between the Bernard river and Bernard creek. Why Jacob named three of sons "William" after his father I do not know. But that was the way is was on the Census.

His father owned land there, they raised cattle and some farming. Milam grew up to be one of the best in breaking wild horses. They said even though he was small man of about 5'7" and weight about 145 pounds, was few horses that he ever had to get on twice.

Milam grew up in the hard times. When he was only nine years old his father died. There is no proof but some of us believe that he is the one who was killed over some horses. It has been passed down through the years one of the Sparks's had bought two horses and a colt from two men. a few days or so they came back and wanted to buy the horses and colt back. Sparks said he didn't want to sell the horses, and they had a few words like, we will get those horses one-way or the other. Later he (Sparks) was about to cross the Bernard creek, when his pony jumped sideways, and at the same time of gunshots. Sparks roll out of the saddle with his rifle in his hand and when the shooting was over, Sparks had killed both of the men who was trying to buy the horses back. Later they found out the horses had been stolen and they were trying to get them back before the laws could find them. But later, one of their kinfolks shot Sparks either going to town or in town.

Doris Roberts, Milam's sister-in-law, said that she had heard the same thing from the talks of her husband and his half brothers would have. But there has not been any record to show that was the way it happen, or if it even happen. But most tales like these or mostly right.
Milam grew up with a stepfather, after his father died in 1871, Nancy, his mother remarried to Thomas Jefferson Roberts in 1872. Milam had kinfolks in and around Beaumont, Jefferson County, Tex. What ever the reason was Milam was in that area when he met Sarah Francis Adams from Orange, Tex. and married her on August 2, 1884 in Beaumont, Tex. She had kinfolks living in Colorado County. So she may have been visiting there or Milam may have been visiting his kinfolks in Jefferson County. Any way they lived in Colorado County for a while where Milam and family was for a number of years we cannot say. He and his family did not show on any census from the time he left home, until in 1912 in Matagorda County, Texas some 28 years later.

There are a lot of tales about Milam in his younger days. He worked for some of the biggest cattle Kings of that time. After the Civil War there was a lot of big cattle kings and companies that took over the open range and pushed out all of the small cattle ranchers. Down in what is called the valley was (and still is) King Ranch, which covered hundred of square miles. Was said that no man went across this ranch and reached the other side, the riders shot you on sight. Another ranch was Pierce, was know throughout the state as "Shanghai Pierce." He had like King Ranch, hundred of square miles of land. At one time it cover over eight counties and to this day it is called Pierce Estate, has large amounts of land in three or four counties. They said that he got his name because he sold a lots of cattle, but very few would he let off his land.

He would sell the cattle and when they got 30 or 40 miles away some of his men would kill the drivers and bring cattle back to the home range.

They had the same thing over in Jefferson County and some of the other counties around in the state. They called this one The Cattle Industry in the area received when the "Beaumont Pasture Company" was created on March 14, 1878, With William McFaddin, C.C. Caswell, O.M. Kyle, Valentine Weiss, William, and Sam Lee as members. (This Samuel Lee was married to Eliza Sparks, her father was John Sidney Sparks. This was Milam's Uncle or his father's brother.)

During the time that Milam could not be found, as records of census went, he was working for Shinghi Pierce, most everything south of the town of the town of Columbus, Texas or at that point any thing south of the Colorado River was Pierce's land and cattle. Milam also worked for a cattle company named Dallas. He named one of his sons Dallas Reed Sparks. Reed said that his Dad named him after the company and the foreman over the cattle drive.

Later part of the 1800's, Milam and his two half brothers kind of went in business for them self. Now this is another one, we have nothing but stories that has been passed down. Milam and his two half brothers, Thomas (Tom) and Lee Roberts, would slip a few head of cattle of Pierce across the river and put their brand on them and later sold them. They also did a lot of trading of horses and cattle. But they gave up around the early 1900's.

Lee Roberts in later years became a Texas Ranger to help stop cattle rustling. Tom became the Constable in the town of Eagle Lake, Colorado County, Texas. I guess you would call this the wild days of a young man.

Milam and Sarah Francis lived in and around the home place in Metz, Columbus, Eagle Lake in Colorado County. Sarah Francie died May 2, 1897, seven months after her last child, Myrtle Frances was born. Maggie George the oldest girl was almost ten years old when her mother died.

Here Milam was with four children so young. Where he lived was close to his mother, Nancy Johnson Sparks Roberts or not and if she would have help if she had. They said she was ruff and a mean woman. (more hear say) But I'm sure he was needing some one bad. Maggie said she could remember standing on a box of a sort and washing dishes and trying to cook.

Seven months and two days later Milam had found him a new bride. He married Viola "Vee" (Court) Nobles on December 4, 1897 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas. There again she was distance kin, as Julia Ann Sparks (John Sidney daughter) married James M. Court. This is where Vee or Viola was born and her family lived. I'm sure they went back to Colorado county soon afterwards, some one was keeping the four kids there. Viola had been married to Leroy E. Nobles and they had one son Loid (not Lloyd) born October 1897. They were living in a place called Spanish Camp (which is still there) about four miles north of Wharton, Texas.

Here again John Sidney's granddaughter, Helen Clair Gentz married Matthew Nobles and had 12 children. Don't know if Noble died, killed or divorced, but the baby was only a few months old when Milam and Viola married. She was living (probably with her parents) at Beaumont, Texas at the time the baby was born. There again we're not sure where Milam and Viola were living. At one time they were living at Lissie in Wharton County.


Doris Roberts and I went to a rest home in Eagle Lake to talk with Bonnie Parker that was living there, (no this is not the great woman outlaw Bonnie Parker.) she was 96 year old and her mine was sharp as a tack. I ask her if she knew a Milam Sparks; she said Oh, Lord yes. He had a pretties little wife named Vee and had a house full of kids. Their oldest boy Merril, I believe his name was. When she called Frank, Merril, I knew for sure that she knew them, because very few people knew his name was Merril.

I asked if she knew Maggie George and she said I don't guess I did. I told her that Maggie George Sparks and Arthur Worthy Sparks got married there in Lissie (where Benniers family was living at the time) on October 27, 1903. She laughed and sad if they got married in Lissie, then my Daddy was the one that married them, because he was the Baptist preacher and the only preacher in town. She said, she was living in Eagle Lake at that time. Bonnie never was married and died at the age of 98 Married 2nd Viola "Vee" (Court) Nobles

Milam's oldest child, Maggie George and her husband, Arthur Worthy Sparks (they were cousin) moved to Lessie, where some seven years earlier they had gotten married. Their son James Leslie born July 6, 1904 was now six and almost 7 years old.. In the first part of 1911 or the last part of 1910 Arthur, Maggie and James Leslie pack up and headed west in to Wharton County some 200 miles away to a little town of Lissie. Where they had gotten married back in 1903 and still living in the area was Maggie's father Milam. They were there for a short time, a few months.

When Milam along with his family and oldest daughter Maggie and her husband, Arthur and his grandson, left Lessie, heading south east to Matagorda County some 150 miles or so. They lived on a place on row Creek about half way between Markham and another little town Clemville. Clemville was just beginning to be a booming oil field.
Here Milam and Viola had their last child, Dallas Reed on July 3, 1911. Then shortly after Maggie and Arthur had their second child, Alvin Brooks on September 28, 1911. Vee just never really recovered, and in January of the following year, 1912 she died. I guess, knowing that she was going to die, had wanted her body shipped back to Jefferson County.

In January of 1912, Milam shipped Viola's body to Port Arthur, Texas, where she was buried in the Sparks Cemetery. (Now at the end of DeQueen Blv. and Lake View Drive. Was once a Sparks settlement, named Aurora, Texas before the name was change in 1897 to Port Arthur, Texas. This cemetery was later (part of) moved to Forest Lawn cemetery in Beaumont, Tex, by Court Order.

Again Milam and family out into the area they call Old Gulf and later Maggie and family did like wise. What year they moved, some 30 or 40 mile closer to the Gulf of Mexico we don't know.Milam married again in 1915 for the third time to Alice Williams who was 18 years old and Milam was 52 year old. Milam and Alice, they lived around Wadsworth, Matagorda County, Tex.. You would think that it was time to retire but not Milam. Alice and Milam had nine children. He was 74 when his last child was born, and he died in 1942 at the age of 79.

Milam and his new wife later moved back up close to the little oil field town of Clemville, Tex. Loid Nobles was still living with Viola and Milam. They did some farming and Milam did his horse trading, I don't know if he was still breaking horses or if some of the boys were doing it. There was a place they called Northern Head Quarters about seven or eight miles north of their place. I would think he and some of his boys sure would have been working out there. Milam's boys didn't much like working in the oil field, they were farmer. In later years they became rice farmers. Milam probably had four or five kids at home from the last marriage.Then again in the 1920's probably around 1925, he moved out on the edge of Clemville, where he lived till he died in January of 1942. All though he did not die in Matagorda County at Clemville. His oldest son, Milam Arthur "Bud" Sparks was living in China, Jefferson County, Tex. near Beaumont, Tex. He took his father home with him because he had been sick for a while. He wanted to take him to a Doctor and to see if they could find what was wrong with him. He was there only a few months when he died. Bud brought his father body back to Bay City, Tex. to be buried in the CedarVale Cemetery with other Sparks's that were buried there.

Alice and the family three of her kids moved up closer to the store in Clemville.I remember my Great Grandfather, Milam very clear, I was 15 years old when he passed away. I would say that he was the same height as my father, James Leslie Sparks who was Milam's grandson, which was 5"7" tall, weight 145 pounds, and 7 or 71/2 shoe or boot. Milam wasn't built like my father with heavy muscles in the upper part of the body.

Milam always had horses and a few cows. He was buying and selling in his late years. This was back when they still was having a lot of trouble with screwworm. My Dad, Leslie was gone a lot, he was a driller and was off looking for oil. When we need a cow or calf needed doctoring Grandpa Milam would come down and doctor it. He said back when he worked for them big cattle company, hides would bring almost as much as the whole cow. So when a number of cattle would die for what ever the reason would be. He had eat his dinner sitting on the side of a dead cow a many time. The way he doctored for screwworm was he took his finger or a stick (if he had one) and clean out all the worms that he could, he had some kind of mixture that he mixed up to kill the worms. Put that in the hole and then packed dry manure in on top. He said the medicine would kill most of the worms and the dry manure would be come wet and smother the rest, as this healed it would push out the cow manure.

Milam last home was about a quarter of a mile or so from his oldest child, Maggie. He would ride down there and have coffee as many did. They had open range then (no fences only pens) so it was left up to you to keep your stock in your area. There was a man that lived up in town that like to think that he ran the town. Any way, word was that this man told Milam that he was going to have to pen his cows. Milam told this guy: You may run that part of town where you live, but don't come down here trying to tell me what I'm going to do or not going to do. The best thing you can do is get your *#*++* ass back over there and don't mess with me because I'll shoot your *#*++* ass off. I Don't believe he ever said any more to Milam after that. He didn't mess with any one and he didn't want you to mess with him.


Milam would set on the front porch in a straight back chair for hours at a time looking out across open land. Probably think about the old days when he used ride all over this part of the country.I remember Bud (his oldest son) had bought his Dad a new pair of cowboy Boots. He looked at them and pitch them back in the box, "I won't wearing them dam Drug Store Boots". All he would ever wear was what they call the stove top boot, that came up almost to the knee. Bud though they would have been easer to get on and off. He wore those long-johns, two pair of pants the year round with no shirt in the summer.

Now if he went some place he would get all deck out in his best boots and hat. The story goes Milam was as good as they came when it came to bronco-busting, his son Arthur (Bud) was they said just as good. My father, Leslie told me this happened; There was a group of men standing around drinking. When one said, I got a horse out there tied to a tree has never been rode and can't be rode. Milam said for $50 dollars I'll ride him right now.

Well Milam got on that horse and after a few jumps Milam came off. Bud said Pa would have rode that horse if he hadn't been drunk. That man laughed and said can you do any better? Bud said yes; if you got a $100 dollars when I step down off that horse. The man laughed again and said hell yes. Bud put on his chaps and tied down his spurs and said hold his head. Before the horse gave up, Bud had that horse bleeding as far down as he could reach and dragging his spurs up the shoulder and neck. Bud stepped down off that horses and took that $100 and said if you all have more of them horses that no one can ride for a $100, Pa and I will take you money.

I went down to Grandpa Milam's and played with Clair Lee, who was about my age and Milam Lloyd was a little younger. (every one call Lloyd "Bull") One day I was over there and it was time for me to go home, Bull went and ask Pa (Milam) if he could go home with me for a while, Grandpa said no and you are not leaving this yard. Well in the mean time it had started raining. Grandpa Milam had gone out to the barn about 30 yards from the house to relive him self. Grandma Alice (I don't believe any one called her Grandma, Just Alice, why I don't know Because kids just didn't call adults by their first name) gave me Bull's coat and cap to wear home to keep from getting wet. I went out the back door and out in to the cow lot around the barn and started climbing over the board fence. As I was climbing over the top of the fence, Grandpa Milam grabbed me off the fence at the same time started whaling the hell out me. Saying Bull, I told you not to leave this dam yard. I was yelling Grandpa this is not Bull. Finally he said oh Hell I though you were Bull.

All these years Loid (Milam's stepson, most ever one knew Loid by the nick name of Duke.) "Duke" lived with Milam and helped support the family. If it hadn't been for Duke, for ten to fifteen years before Milam died and that long or longer after he died, the family could never have made it without him. Duke gave his whole life to supporting Milam's families. Seem like my Dad said that Bud took Duke to Beaumont to see a Uncle Nobles and some of his kinfolks, but I don't know which of the Nobles it was. Duke's father was Joseph G. Nobles from Beaumont, Tex. I don't guess his father ever came to see him or his father may have been dead. He lived his last days with a half sister Pauline (Sparks) Stoffer.

About ever one knew Pauline as "Peggy" as this was what Duke call her. Pauline was married to Vernon Stoffer at that time, Varian died 2/4/1980 and later married John Landrum (/18/1981.Of all the years that Duke lived around Clemville, I have for the first time to hear any one say any thing bad about him. Duke would help any one and would not ask for any pay. But all the people around spoke well of Duke and was always giving him extra work to do. Milam had 13 girls and 7 boys, he always said that he had 22 children. Alice lost two children, don't know if any of the other wife did.

I guess you would have to say that Milam was the last of the rough riders, for he surely was a breed of his own. He and his brother were probably like their father ;Jacob. All of Milam's boys were a little on the rough side also. To tell the truth I don't think there is a Sparks that would walk away from a fight.

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3139485/person/-1604307211/media/1

Census:
Milam Sparks 1863 TX TX TX
Alice Sparks, wife 1899 TX TX TX
Wilford 1901
Ellis 1903
Ruby 1905
Frank 1908
Lilly 1810
Dallas Reid 1912
Lorene 1819
Eloise 1920

William married Viola "Vee" Courts on 4 Dec 1897 in Jefferson Co, Texas. Viola (daughter of James* Madison Court and Julia* Ann Sparks) was born in Jul 1879 in Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas; died in Jan 1912 in Matagorda Co, Texas; was buried in McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 12 Jun 1880, Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Other-Begin: 30 Sep 1952, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; court case: Smith graves
• Other-Begin: 10 Aug 1961, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; court case: Smith graves

Notes:

1880: Viola age: 11/12

Viola Courts Sparks listed in McFaddin - T.F. Smith burial plots. This Viola? Did she remarry a Sparks?

Sparks, William Milam (1863 - 1942) - male
b. 1 MAR 1863
d. JAN 1942 in Jefferson County, TX
father: Sparks, Jacob E. (~1828 - ~1871)
mother: Johnson, Nancy (~1839 - )
spouse: Adams, Sarah Frances (*1862 - 1897)
- m. ABT. 1885
----------child: Sparks, Maggie George (1887 - 1960)
----------child: Sparks, Hope Elizabeth (1890 - )
----------child: Sparks, Arthur Merrell (1892 - )
----------child: Sparks, Myrtle Frances (1897 - )


Court, Viola "Vee" (Nobles) (~1879 - ) - female
b. ABT. 1879
spouse: Sparks, William Milam (1863 - 1942)
- m. 4 DEC 1897 in ,Jefferson, TX
----------child: Sparks, Valee (1899 - )
----------child: Sparks, Ellis Milam (*1900 - )
----------child: Sparks, James Wilford (*1901 - )
----------child: Sparks, Frank Marion (*1901 - )
----------child: Sparks, Lillie (*1901 - )
----------child: Sparks, Ruby (*1901 - )
----------child: Sparks, Dallas Reid (~1911 - )

Census:
12 Jun 1880 Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas

210 Court, William 21 work at saw mill TX - TX
Darinda, 22 wife Texas Georgia Texas
Danie 3 dau TX
Benton 1 son TX


211
J.M. COURT Self M Male W 50 LA Wagoning ENGLAND LA
Julia A. COURT Wife M Female W 43 TN Keeping House NC AL
Helma (Helmer) COURT Son S Male W 18 TX Wagoner LA TN
James COURT Son S Male W 15 TX At Home LA TN
Annie COURT Dau S Female W 12 TX At Home LA TN
Lillian COURT Dau S Female W 8 TX At Home LA TN
Fannie COURT Dau S Female W 5 TX At Home LA TN
Emmet COURT Son S Male W 3 TX At Home LA TN
Viola COURT Dau S Female W 11M TX At Home LA TN

213
Court, Clifton 25 1855 raftsman TX LA TN
Fannie 26 1854 TX TN TN
Ella M. 3 1877 TX


(Peter Stockholm & Pierre Frugia in this community. No Sparks or Blocks or Burrrells. Must be Beaumont proper.)


Other-Begin:
Court Cause No. 16107
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr., et al
vs
Unknown Heirs of Caroline Sparks, et al

Court Cause No. 18399
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr., et al
vs
Robert S. Frugia, et al

Court Cause No. 20324
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr. et al
vs.
Coy V. Courts, et al (Sr.)

On this 10th day of August 1961, came on to be heard the application of the plaintiffs in the above entitled and numbered cause for an order of the court showing that the plaintiffs have complied with the judgments previously entered in said cause and further showing that the plaintiffs or their successors in interest are entitled to the free and unrestricted use of the land hereinafter described, as set forth in plaintiff's petition in the above entitled and numbered causes...
(pgs 10-13 of attached pdf)


Died:
Birth: Jul., 1879
Jefferson County
Texas, USA
Death: Jan., 1912
Clemville
Matagorda County
Texas, USA

OBIT: (findagrave)
Viola was the daughter of James Madison Court and Julia Sparks Court. She was born at Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Texas, on the site of the present-day city of Port Arthur. Later the residents of the settlement moved to a site near the city of Beaumont. Viola was married first to Leroy E. Nobles in 1894, and after his death became the second wife of William Milam Sparks on December 4, 1897. She died in childbirth in Clemville, Matagorda County, Texas. Her body was brought to Houston by wagon and then sent back to Beaumont by train for burial in the MacFaddin Cemetery on the family homestead. All the graves in the cemetery were exhumed in 1961 to make room for a chemical plant and the bodies were re-buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beaumont.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1833, Alabama; per 1860 census
• Census: 24 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 29 Jul 1860, Colorado Co, Texas
• Census: 1870, Colorado Co, Texas

Notes:

Laborer. He is living with Solomon and Martha Sparks at the time of 1850 census.
Info from Jay Sparks states he was born in Alabama, 1850 census states Tennessee.
1860 Census - living in Colorado Co, Texas, gives birth info as born 1833 in Alabama.
1870 census - living in Colorado Co, Texas, gives age as 28, born in Alabama (first child Emma is 16; so clearly he was older than he felt. Nancy also had her age too young, stated 29.)


SQ pg 3364: Jacob E. Sparks, probable son of William Sparks, was born about 1828 in Alabama. (When he registered to vote in Colorado County, TX , in 1867, he stated that he had been born in Alabama; had come to Texas in 1844 ; and had lived in Colorado County since 1854.) the first record we have found of him is in the 1850 census of Jefferson County, Texas. At that time he was living in the household of his brother, Solomon sparks, and he was 22 years of age.

Willis Sparks, mentioned earlier, tells a most interesting story about his great-grandparents, Jacob and Nancy (Johnson) Sparks. He wrote:

"About 1853, Jacob Sparks was working for a freight line which ran between Lake Charles, Louisiana, and San Antonio, Texas, probably following a trail which is present-day U.S. Highway 90. The line used oxen and wagons to haul supplies. It was at the village of Orange, Texas, that Jake met, courted, and married fourteen-year-old Nancy Johnson. They went by the freight line to the San Bernard River in Colorado County, Texas, where they started house keeping about three miles northeast of the village of Mentz. There, they reared their family. Jake died at the age of forty-three, and some descendants say he was shot."

Jacob Sparks married Nancy Johnson about 1853. According to census records she was born about 1839 in Louisiana. She and Jacob ("Jake") had seven children.
http://www.sparksfamilytree.net/ghtout/npr379.html#H02087

Census:
24 Oct 1850 Sabine Pass

residence 215:
Milton H Bloodworth 25 1825 Louisiana
Nancy (Holt) Bloodworth 18 1832 Texas
Benjamin P Bloodworth 2 1848 Louisiana
William Bloodworth 1 1849 Louisiana
Benjamin Holt 55 1795 Mississippi
Thomas C Holt 50 1800 Mississippi
Thomas D Holt 4 1846 Louisiana
William Holt 53 1797 Mississippi
Mary Ann Holt 17 1833 Texas
Thomas R Holt 26 1824 Louisiana
Charles Holt 28 1822 Louisiana
William C Holt 15 1835 Louisiana
Richard Holt 13 1837 Louisiana

Residence 216
Stockholm, Peter D. 31 1819 New York carpenter
Mary 17 1833 Louisiana
William 2 1848 Texas
Elizabeth 0 1850 Texas

Residence 217
Brewer, William 23 1827 Louisiana
Brewer, Caroline 22 1828 Louisiana

Residence 218
Solomon Sparks 30 1820 Tennessee
Martha C Sparks 30 1829 South Carolina
Lucy Ann Sparks 8 1842 Tennessee
John L Sparks 6 1844 Tennessee
James E Sparks 3 1847 Louisiana
Mary Susan Sparks 1 1849 Texas
Jacob Sparks 22 1828 Tennessee

Residence 219
John S. Sparks 39 1811 North Carolina
Melinda Sparks 29 1821 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 9 1841 Texas
Eliza J. Sparks 7 1843 Texas
John F. Sparks 4 1846 Texas
Sarah C. Sparks 1 1849 Texas
James Court 22 1828 Louisiana
Julia Ann (Sparks) Courts 14 1836 Tennessee



Census:
29 Jul 1860
Post Office, San Bernard, Colorado County


Looking at other names in the census living in close proximity, looks like a German/Prussian community.

Residence 665
Sparks, Jacob 27 1833 Alabama
Nancy (Johnson) 20, 1840 Louisiana
Emma S. 5 1855 Texas
Sophronia 4 1856 Texas
William M. 2 1858 Texas
Johnson, James 22 1838 Louisiana (bro-in-law)
Shote (Schoat), Elizabeth (Johnson) 24 1835 Louisiana (sis-in-law)
Shote, William M. 9 1851 Texas


Residence 655
Cole S.W. 41 1819 Louisiana (Solomon)
Zilla A. 26 1834 Louisiana
Mary C. 9 1851 Texas
Martha 8 1855 Texas
Sarah 2 1848 Texas
Priest, John 22 1838 Alabama


Residence 656
Cole, David 43 1817 Louisiana
Ann 23 1837 Germany
F.D. (male) 22 1838 Texas
Solomon 13 1847 Texas
Ganse, Charles 13 1847 Texas
Harris, Joshua 26 1834 Texas
Roberts, Thomas (Thos Jefferson) 23 1837 Louisiana (Married Elizabeth Johnson Schoat in 1864)
Cole, Elizabeth 2 1858 Texas


Census:
Jacob Sparks 23 (age clearly wrong) Alabama
Nancy Sparks 29 1841 (age clearly wrong) Texas
Emma Sparks 16 1854
Sophia Sparks 13 1857
Milton Sparks 12 1858
Franklin Sparks 10 1860
William Sparks 8 1862
James Sparks 3 1867
Jacob Sparks 1 1869
Hedley Faris 23 laborer, Louisiana
Mathew Canales 22 laborer Texas

Jacob married Nancy Johnson in 1853 in Orange Co, Texas. Nancy (daughter of John Johnson and Melinda Ann Cole) was born on 9 Jul 1837 in Jefferson Co, Texas; died on 13 Jun 1903 in Eagle Lake, Colorado Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 25 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 29 Jul 1860, Colorado Co, Texas
• Census: 1880, Wharton Co, Texas

Notes:

Date: 9/24/99 6:11:48 PM Central Daylight Time
From: tlzumwalt@worldnet.att.net (Thomas Zumwalt)
To: WileyZ@aol.com

Dear Wiley, Ann Johnson/Jeansonne Daughter of Moses Johnson and Nancy Roberts married 19 Aug 1824 Thomas Court of England,her brother John L."Saddler" Johnson married Malinda Cole 15 Sept 1829.There daughter Nancy married Jacob Sparks. This is on my mothers side.

Census:
25 Oct 1850
residence 221
John Railey 51 1799 Georgia laborer
Delinda Railey 34 1816 LA (Malinda Cole Johnson)
Elisabeth Railey 17 1833 LA (step-dau Elizabeth Johnson)
James Railey 14 1836 TX (step-son James Johnson)
Nancy Railey 13 1837 TX (step-dau Nancy Johnson)
Sally Railey 12 1838 TX (step-dau Sally Johnson)
Moses Railey 7 1843 TX (step-son Moses Johnson)
Christian Railey 2 1848 TX
James Hayes 23 1827 LA laborer
Emily Hayes 21 1829 TX
Alzena Hayes 2 1848 2
Matilda Hayes 0 6/12 TX 1850


residence 223
Clubb, Thos B. 32 1818 SC laborer
Clubb Maria 24 1826 TX
Clubb William C. 1846
Clubb Sarah 1 1849
Burris Enos 1801 Canada blacksmith
Gibson Robert 20 1830 England laborer
Willis John 16 1834 TX laborer (relation unk)
Willis William 49 1801 TN laborer (relation unk)
Willis William J. 14 1836 LA laborer (relatin unk)
Wilson John 27 1823 LA laborer (relation unk)
Taylor John 39 1811 TN laborer (relation unk)

residence 224
Thomas F. Smith 31 1819 carpenter Tennessee
Ella A. 26 1824 Pennsylvania
Nancy F. 4 1846 Louisiana
William M. 2 1848 Texas
Sarah L. Lawrey 14 1836 Ohio (relation unk)
James Penrod 18 1832 laborer Illinois (relation unk)
James Dyson 57 1793 saddler Mississippi (relation unk)


nearby:
Solomon Sparks and Martha family
John Sparks and Melinda family and James Court and Julia Ann


Census:
29 Jul 1860
Post Office, San Bernard, Colorado County


Looking at other names in the census living in close proximity, looks like a German/Prussian community.

Residence 665
Sparks, Jacob 27 1833 Alabama
Nancy (Johnson) 20, 1840 Louisiana
Emma S. 5 1855 Texas
Sophronia 4 1856 Texas
William M. 2 1858 Texas
Johnson, James 22 1838 Louisiana (bro-in-law)
Shote (Schoat), Elizabeth (Johnson) 24 1835 Louisiana (sis-in-law)
Shote, William M. 9 1851 Texas


Residence 655
Cole S.W. 41 1819 Louisiana (Solomon)
Zilla A. 26 1834 Louisiana
Mary C. 9 1851 Texas
Martha 8 1855 Texas
Sarah 2 1848 Texas
Priest, John 22 1838 Alabama


Residence 656
Cole, David 43 1817 Louisiana
Ann 23 1837 Germany
F.D. (male) 22 1838 Texas
Solomon 13 1847 Texas
Ganse, Charles 13 1847 Texas
Harris, Joshua 26 1834 Texas
Roberts, Thomas (Thos Jefferson) 23 1837 Louisiana (Married Elizabeth Johnson Schoat in 1864)
Cole, Elizabeth 2 1858 Texas


Census:
1880 Wharton Co, Texas
Tom Roberts 49
Nancy (Johnson-Sparks) Roberts 44
Emma (Sparks) Roberts 26
S. (Sparks) female Roberts 24
Wm. (Sparks) Roberts 22
Frank (Sparks) Roberts 20
Milam (Sparks) Roberts 17
Jim (Sparks) Roberts 14
Jake (Sparks) Roberts 12
W. (Sparks) Roberts 10 male
Thos. Roberts 7
Jno. Roberts 5
Irene Roberts 14
Lizzie Roberts 13

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt 1831, Lavaca Bay Region, Texas
• Residence: Between 1836 and 1845, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas; Republic of Texas
• Residence: Feb 1836, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 24 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 12 Jul 1860, Sabine Pass (Precinct 5), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: Between 1861 and 1865, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas; Texas Confederate States
• Military: 28 May 1862, enlisted Company B (gunboat "Uncle Ben")
• Census: 23 Jun 1870, Sparks and River Settlement, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 12 Jun 1880, Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Other-Begin: 30 Sep 1952, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; court case: Smith graves
• Other-Begin: 10 Aug 1961, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; court case: Smith graves

Notes:

1865 listed in Confederate Indigent Families Lists of Texas 1863-1865 by Linda Mearse (avail thru Interlibrary loan)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Cloud"
The book "The Story of Beaumont" is on-line in html (web page)format with an index and list of illustrations that were created for it (it had neither). Published in 1925/26, it is a valuable reference for early East Texas researchers. The index has the actual page numbers where the reference is found to make citations more precise.

The table of contents can be found here:
http://www.mykindred.com/wiess/st-o-b/index.htm

It can be a lengthy download if on a dial-up connection, so it is also available without the graphics at:
http://www.mykindred.com/wiess/st-o-b/toc-old.html

There were numerous typographical errors and some grammatical errors. No corrections were made to the document. It is, so far as I can determine, true to the original.

If you find an error or want to make a suggestion, please
contact me at cloud@peaches.ph.utexas.edu.

"G. W. Hargraves, who was captain of a little Beaumont company of militia in August, 1835, had sixty-two men under him, twenty of whom took part in the battle of the Alamo. He also was at the head of twenty-one volunteers who started to join ston to stop the advance of Santa Anna, but the battle of San Jacinto was fought before they reached that place, and they were ordered to rout some hostile Indians north of the town. Men Mr. Hargraves could remember years after who were in his company, were;

William Clark, ____ Clark, John Coale, ____ Coale, Bill Ashworth, Aaron Ashworth, Tapler Ashworth, Luke Ashworth, Charles Cronier, Elisha Stephenson, Lige Stephenson, Tom Berwick, Batiste Pevito, Dave Harmon, George Medgar, William Beckham, d Garner, Isaac Garner, Jim McCall, John Allen, ____ Allen, Joe Linsicomb, Jake Hays, Jim Jett, ____ Jett, Clark Beach, ____ Powers, Archie Richie, Wash Tevis, Jack Tevis, ____ Williams, Tom Yoakum, Jim Foreman and Ben Johnson, and Jim Courts."

http://www.mykindred.com/wiess/st-o-b/16-Beaumont-in-the-Wars.html#457030
"The Story of Beaumont" on-line

(note: Jim Courts was born 1829; so, he would have been 6 yrs old.
_____________
Lived with John Sparks right after marriage (1850 Census - census date 24 Oct; marriage date, Oct 15), but must not have stayed there very long. They are also listed in 1850 living with James Eaves, a laborer, and his wife Eliza (ages 37), with the Eaves' children, Rachel, 8; Lazil, 5; and Joseph, 2, all from Louisiana except Joseph who was born in Texas. Julia was only 14. Listed as a farmer.
_____________
The marriage of James Courts, son of Thomas and Ann Johnson Court, and Julia Ann Sparks, 13 year old daughter of John Sidney and Melinda Jones Sparks, brought together two of the founding families of lower East Texas. Thomas and Ann, with James as a baby, came to Sabine Pass about 1829/30. The historical marker in Sabine Pass Lion's Club Parks states that our Court Family and another family named McGaffey were here "as early" as 1832. Not only were they in Texas before it became a state, they were here during the time that it was part of Mexico, and in 1836, when it became a Republic in its own right. Our family can truly say we are mutli-generation Texans.

The Sparks arrived in Texas, traveling by covered wagon from Tennessee, in 1838, when Julia Ann was just two. They settled on Pavel's Island first, then came ashore at Sabine Lake and became the first permanent anglo inhabitants of what was called "Aurora", and which eventually became Port Arthur.

The Pioneer Spirit prevailed as both families withstood early life on the Gulf Coast. Yellow Fever, mosquitos, hurricanes and tropical storms, alligators and other wild creatues combined to make life harrowing and an adventure at the same time. Some of those stories will be included in other history items.

James and Julia began their married life in Aurora, and eventually built their own cabin. Julia's brothers, sisters, and some cousins married and remained in the area of Aurora. James' siblings stayed in the area of Sabine Pass and Port Arthur as well, although several moved away after they reached adulthood.

James and Julia had 13 children, most of who have descendents still living here in the Golden Triangle. We have located descendents of the other children as well.

James and Julia are featured in the Museum of the Gulf Coast in the section on "Aurora." Pictures of both of them and several other family members (Sparks) are on display.

_____________________________
Transcript of a land transfer:
James M Court : The State of Texas : 18 April 1856
To Transfer : County of Jefferson : (vol A pg 113-114)
Wm Burgett :

Know All Men by these presents:
That I, James Madison Court, eldest son of Thomas Court, deceased, of Orange County State of Texas for and in consideration of Seventy-Eight dollars paid to me by William Burgett of the County of Jefferson and State of Texas, have bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain, sell, and convey unto the said William Burgett all the right, title, and interest which I have and hold in the headright League of Land Granted to Thomas Court, my Father now deceased whch Land is located on the waters of the Palo Pinto a tributary of the Brazos River, my interest being one seventh there being seven children of us of my Father's interest. The said William Burgett to have and to hold said interest in said land hereby conveyed to the said William Burgett his heirs and assigns forever for further description of said Land reference may be had to the field notes and Patent in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal scrawl for seal this 18th day of April A.D. 1856.
In the Presence of Otis McGaffy (Notary Public)
_______________
1869

From: Debbie & Bryan Spurgeon
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 21:40:42
To: Sherry
Subject: Digging at the Orange Library


Hey Sherry,
I went digging at the Orange Library this evening. Actually came up with a book from the SE Texas Historical Society that showed some listings of civil cases filed in Beaumont in 1874/75.

James Courts and other family members were listed in several of them.

The files are in the Sam Houston Regional Library. They are:

File 106 - Case #517
Wesley Garner, administrator of Estate of Holland C.V. Edmondson vs. James Court - 1869

File 107 -
Wesley garner, administrator of Estate of Holland C.V. Edmondson vs. Lewis King (Lewis was Sarah Ann Court's husband) - 1869

File 108
same as above vs Sam Lee (Sam was married to Julia Ann's sister) -1869

Box 6
File #3 - Case 609
James Courts, C.C. Gientze vs. Charles W. Winn - 1874 - Postal Service (this one has me intriqued)

Case 610 has same infomration as Case 609

File # 51
Case #626
William Allison vs. James M. Court - 1875
______________

1865 listed in Confederate Indigent Families Lists of Texas 1863-1865 by Linda Mearse (avail thru Interlibrary loan)

______________

Civil War vet....he was a marksman in Speight's batallion Company B who served on the war-converted cotton boat steamer "Uncle Ben" and was involved in at least one Sabine Pass battle. (Frank Courts)

1870 Sparks and River Settlement:
res 95/77 val of real estate val of personal estate
Coats, Jim 40 Farmer, b. LA, 400, 2000
Julia, 34 keeping house TN
Mary, 18, at home TX
Clifton 16, mail rider
Nastebenthia 14 at home
William, 12, laborer
Madison 10, at home
Helmer 8, at home
Anne 3, at home
Lisa 8 at home TX

______________

1875 - listed in newspaper that he made a loan at a merchandise store in Beaumont so that he could farm that year and raise crops
______________

1880 census lists himself as wagoning age 50, from LA, father from Eng, mother from Louisiana. Household 211/220, next door to Clifton Court, his son. The children listed still living at home are Helmer, James, Anna, Lillian, Fannie, Emmet, and Viola.
____________

1890s, moved from Aurora upriver to around DuPont area. The family founded what became South Park ISD.
____________

Texas Revolution Page 2 p 9
listed: Courts, Jim Private, Captain Logans 3rd Company M.R. 43
____________

(Note from Kirby Courts:)
James "Jim" was one of the first Pony Express Riders in Texas. He carried mail from Sabine Pass to Harrisburg (Houston), Texas. He was also a farmer and cattleman. During the Texas Battle for Independence in 1836, James was on the muster Roll for Jefferson Co. George Hargraves organized the company. They were known as "Capt. Chessire's Company Volunteers." (Jefferson Co Historical Commission Veterans, Pt 1). The Book "Pioneer Remimscences of Jefferson County" by T.J. Russell, p 34, states in Sabine Pass "Thomas Courts and son, James Courts, were there with John McGaffey at an early day. Both are dead. Several children of James Courts are now in this county."
_________
To: archinfo@tsl.state.tx.us
8/19/98
Court, James M. 02271
Claimant: Court, James M.
Pension Number: 02271
County: Jefferson

Application approved Oct 7, 1899
Q. What is your name? Answer: James M. Courts
Q. What is your age? Answer: 69
Q. In what County do you reside? Answer: Jefferson
Q. How long have you resided in said County and what is your post office address?
Answer: 60 years, Beaumont.
Q. Have you applied for a pension under the Confederate Pension law heretofore, and been rejected? If so, state when and where. Answer: No sir
Q. What is your occupation if able to engage in one: Answer: Farmer when able
Q. What is your physical condition: Answer: Bad
Q. If your physical condition is such that you are unable by your own labor to earn a support, state what caused such disability. Answer: broken leg, rupture
Q. State in what company and regiment you enlisted in the Confederate army, and the time of your service. Answer: Company "B" Speight's Battalion,
first called Liberman Batal.
Q. State whether or not you have received any pension or veteran donation land certificate under any previous law, and if you answer in the affirmative, state what pension or veteran donation land certificate you have received. Answer: No sir
Q. What real and personal property do you now own, and what is the present value of such property? Give list of such property and value. Answer: Five horses, $50.00 value of
them all, bring with on range.
Q. What property, and what was the value thereof have you sold or conveyed within two years prior to the date of this application? Answer: none
Q. What income, if any, do you receive? Answer: none
Q. Are you in indigent circumstances; that is, are you in actual want, and destitute of property and means of substistence? Answer: Yes sir
Q. Are you unable by your labor to earn a support? Answer: Yes sir
Q. Have you transferred to others any property of value of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under this law? Answer: No sir
Q. Did you ever desert the Confederacy? Answer: No sir
Q. Have you been continuously since the first day of January, 1880, a bona fide resident citizen of this State? Answer: Yes sir
Wherefore your petitioner prays that his application be approved and that such other proceedings be had in the premises as are required by law.
(Signature of Applicant) J.M. (X) Court
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 day of July A.D. 1899.
George O'Brien
County Judge, Jefferson County, Texas
(Signature of Witness) C. E. Hillebrandt
(Signature of Witness) Pierce (X) Fuige

Affidavit of Physician (abbreviated)
Dr. J.W. Cruse, practicing physician of this County, duly sworn, examined James M. Court and finds him laboring under the following disabilities which render him unable to labor at any work or calling sufficient to earn a support for himself: Broken leg in the ankle, can't use his foot., inguinal hernia which is very severe. Sworn 15 day of Aug 1899

Certificate of County Commissioners: signed 15 Aug 1899
(commissioners signed: A. Jroard (?) Pnct #1; H.T. Bist 2nd Pnct; B.J. Johnson Pnct 3; S. Landrum 4th Pnct)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to Ruth McVey, Pierre Fruge (Pierce Fuige) Confederate App was witnessed the day before James', on July 27, and was witnessed by Hillebrandt & James; also Judge O'Brien.
________________________________________
From Frank Courts: I also checked the article on the removal of graves from the private cemetery where Dupont is now located on Port Arthur Road in the 60's. It states that James M. And Julia were both found there and moved to Forest Lawn. It also lists the other graves, 22 in all, including a James F. (as you stated) and a James C. Court as being moved from there. I dont know why your list is different. I have been to Forest Lawn and have seen the moved graves. The remains were grouped under four headstones which say "T. F. Smith Homestead Tract Cemetery" or something similar. Forest Lawn does have the names listed, and Carroll Wallace funeral home has other records of the move, which they coordinated. T. F. Smith was somehow connected with the Sparks, I believe.
________________________________________
From: mac@lcc.net (Ruth A McVey)
To: lumoto@aol.com (Sherry Sharp)
Hi Sherry,
I received this info from a friend who "lives" genealogy and has been very helpful to me. His name is James A. Johnson age 75 who lives in Bellaire but doesn't have a computer. He sent the following:

1850 St. Landry #1996-2361 #455-455

Vigel Frozia 45 Farmer $800 Pers. LA (1850 Fruge 40)
Mary 46 (35) LA
Artimese 14 LA (17 Pierre, 10 Louisa, Artimese 8)
Susan 12 (6) LA
Uzenie 10 (1) LA (Eugene)
Useph 8 LA (Joseph?)
Phitestine 5 LA (Celestine?)
Alzemah 7/12 TX (Azema?)

#456-456

Pier Frozia 23 farm laborer LA (#1996-2361 1850 St Landry age 17)
Elizabeth 17 H.K. LA (b. TX)

Sherry I've written the above just as Mr. Johnson wrote it to me. Hope it's not to confusing. Artemeas/Artimese and Susan were sisters of Pierre but I don't find Denise. Could she have been born later?

I know that my GGF Pierre Frugia (Fruge) married a second time and had a son Lyman Frugia and a dgt. named Goldie. Lyman Frugia, Jr. and his wife Doris Ann live in Vidor and I've written to her twice sending her my data in hopes she would share but she hasn't.

From marriage books for Jefferson County I have Pier Fruge m. Julia Courta 14 Jul 1897 and Pierre Fruge m. Mrs. Lidia Cuniff 31 Aug 1891. I know that my GGF Pierre called his son Pierre "Peter" but I have nothing else. So I don't know who married whom.

You can say I'm still a novice when it comes to genealogy but I'm learning. Do you know if copies of Successions from LA can be ordered by mail? I found several Fruge's listed in Imperial Calcasieu and St. Landry Parish. Also listed were some Hayes. There is a book written by Shirley Burwell of Lake Charles I presume listing all the successions.

Any tips or suggestions are most welcome. Keep in touch.

Ruth

_________________________________

Residence:
according to Historical marker, his father arrived in Sabine Pass in 1832, arriving from the Lavaca Bay region.

Residence:
his sister Sara Court said to be the first white child born in Aurora under the Mexican Flag

Census:
24 Oct 1850 Sabine Pass

residence 215:
Milton H Bloodworth 25 1825 Louisiana
Nancy (Holt) Bloodworth 18 1832 Texas
Benjamin P Bloodworth 2 1848 Louisiana
William Bloodworth 1 1849 Louisiana
Benjamin Holt 55 1795 Mississippi
Thomas C Holt 50 1800 Mississippi
Thomas D Holt 4 1846 Louisiana
William Holt 53 1797 Mississippi
Mary Ann Holt 17 1833 Texas
Thomas R Holt 26 1824 Louisiana
Charles Holt 28 1822 Louisiana
William C Holt 15 1835 Louisiana
Richard Holt 13 1837 Louisiana

Residence 216
Stockholm, Peter D. 31 1819 New York carpenter
Mary 17 1833 Louisiana
William 2 1848 Texas
Elizabeth 0 1850 Texas

Residence 217
Brewer, William 23 1827 Louisiana
Brewer, Caroline 22 1828 Louisiana

Residence 218
Solomon Sparks 30 1820 Tennessee
Martha C Sparks 30 1829 South Carolina
Lucy Ann Sparks 8 1842 Tennessee
John L Sparks 6 1844 Tennessee
James E Sparks 3 1847 Louisiana
Mary Susan Sparks 1 1849 Texas
Jacob Sparks 22 1828 Tennessee

Residence 219
John S. Sparks 39 1811 North Carolina
Melinda Sparks 29 1821 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 9 1841 Texas
Eliza J. Sparks 7 1843 Texas
John F. Sparks 4 1846 Texas
Sarah C. Sparks 1 1849 Texas
James Court 22 1828 Louisiana
Julia Ann (Sparks) Courts 14 1836 Tennessee



Census:
12 Jul 1860 Precinct No. 5 Sabine Pass
residence 378
James Court 30 mail carrier 500 Louisiana
Julia 24 TN 1856 Tennessee
Mary E 8 1852 Texas
Henry C 6 1854 Texas
Julia A 4 1856 Texas
William F 2 1858 Texas
Elias M 6/12 1859 Texas

residence 379
John Sparks 49 1811 North Carolina farmer 320 2100
Malinda Sparks 41 1819 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 19 1841 Texas
John F Sparks 14 1856 Texas
Sarah C Sparks 11 1849 Texas
Arabella H Sparks 8 1852 Texas
James C Sparks 6 1854 Texas
Worthey C Sparks 4 1856 Texas
Henry E L Sparks 8/12 1859 Texas

residence 380
Samuel Lee 38 1822 Denmark stock raiser 4,000
Eliza 16 1844 Texas


Military:
Name: J M Courts
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Texas
Service Record: Enlisted in Company B, Texas 11th Cavalry Battalion.

Sources: Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records
--
Name: J M Courts
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Texas
Service Record: Enlisted in Company I, Texas 13th Infantry Regiment.

Sources: Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records



Census:
Residence 77
Coats (Courts) J.M. 40 1830 Louisiana 400, 2,000 farmer
Julia 34 1836 Tennessee
Mary 18 1852 Texas
Clifton 16 1854 Texas
Nasthentha 14 1856 Texas
William 12 1858 Texas
Madison E. 10 1860 Texas
ekner 8 1862 Texas
James 5 1865 Texas
Anna 3 1867 Texas
Lisa 8 1862 Texas

residence 78
Sparks M (Melinda) 51 1819 at home Tennessee widow
James 17 1853 Texas farm laborer
Worthy 14 1856 Texas
John 27 1843 Texas farmer

residence 79
Spark, C (Caroline) 50 1820 SC keeping house widow
Edwin 23 1847 Louisiana
Joseph 16 1854 Texas
Oscar 14 Texas
Court T.J. 27 1843 Texas (Thomas Jefferson - bro of James Court)

residence 80
Brewton W.P. 33 1837 Tennessee
Sarah (Sparks) 22 1848 Texas (Dau of Melinda)
Grace 5 1865 TX
Silas F. 8/12 1869 TX

residence 81
Lee, Samuel 52 1818 farmer 1580 Denmark
Jane E. 27 1843 Texas
Emma 3 1867 Texas


residence 82
Smith. T.J. 34 farmer 500 Indiana (Later would marry Mary Ellen Courts
Sarah 25 Texas
Electra 3/12 Texas


Census:
12 Jun 1880 Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas

210 Court, William 21 work at saw mill TX - TX
Darinda, 22 wife Texas Georgia Texas
Danie 3 dau TX
Benton 1 son TX


211
J.M. COURT Self M Male W 50 LA Wagoning ENGLAND LA
Julia A. COURT Wife M Female W 43 TN Keeping House NC AL
Helma (Helmer) COURT Son S Male W 18 TX Wagoner LA TN
James COURT Son S Male W 15 TX At Home LA TN
Annie COURT Dau S Female W 12 TX At Home LA TN
Lillian COURT Dau S Female W 8 TX At Home LA TN
Fannie COURT Dau S Female W 5 TX At Home LA TN
Emmet COURT Son S Male W 3 TX At Home LA TN
Viola COURT Dau S Female W 11M TX At Home LA TN

213
Court, Clifton 25 1855 raftsman TX LA TN
Fannie 26 1854 TX TN TN
Ella M. 3 1877 TX


(Peter Stockholm & Pierre Frugia in this community. No Sparks or Blocks or Burrrells. Must be Beaumont proper.)



Other-Begin:
Court Cause No. 16107
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr., et al
vs
Unknown Heirs of Caroline Sparks, et al

Court Cause No. 18399
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr., et al
vs
Robert S. Frugia, et al


Court Cause No. 20324
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr. et al
vs.
Coy V. Courts, et al (Sr.)

On this 10th day of August 1961, came on to be heard the application of the plaintiffs in the above entitled and numbered cause for an order of the court showing that the plaintiffs have complied with the judgments previously entered in said cause and further showing that the plaintiffs or their successors in interest are entitled to the free and unrestricted use of the land hereinafter described, as set forth in plaintiff's petition in the above entitled and numbered causes...
(pgs 10-13 of attached pdf)

James* married Julia* Ann Sparks on 15 Oct 1850 in Jefferson Co, Texas. Julia* (daughter of John Sidney* Sparks and Melinda* Jones, (maybe dau?)) was born on 13 Oct 1836 in Franklin Co, Tennessee; died on 25 Jan 1925 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; was buried on 26 Jan 1925 in McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 24 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 12 Jul 1860, Sabine Pass (Precinct 5), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 23 Jun 1870, Sparks and River Settlement, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 12 Jun 1880, Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: 1904, 1 blk w of 747 South Grand Ave, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 23 May 1910, Beaumont (Precinct 6), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: Between 1913 and 1925, 1598 Cartright, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; D.C.
• Other-Begin: 22 Mar 1936, Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Other-Begin: 30 Sep 1952, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; court case: Smith graves
• Other-Begin: 10 Aug 1961, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas; court case: Smith graves

Notes:

1910 Julia Courts, age 73; b TN; living w/
514/537 Thomas F. Smith 51 head
Mary E 57 wife TX father TX mother TN
Brewer Belle D - step-dau 26 TX LA TX
Smith James T son 22
Ella V dau 16
Court Julia A mother in law - 73
Sparks William E cousin 59

515/538 Courts Matt E head 49
Mary E wife 49
Coy G son 15
Emma S dau 8
Emmet M bro 34
_____________________
(Notes of Kirby Courts:)
Julia was the daughter of John and Melinda Sparks, who came to Texas from North Carolina in the 1850s. Julia was probably born in Tennessee in about 1836. She lived to be 89 years old and spent most of her life in Jefferson Co, Texas. Shried James M. Court when she was 13 years old. They lived in Sabine Pass, Texas, during their first years of marriage. The older family members state that they remained there until the late 1880s. Severe hurricanes at this time destroyed the settlement on a number of occasions. The family moved to the Nederland-Port Neches area, away from the beach area. They remained there till their deaths and were buried in the old Sparks Cemetry. The cemetery is the present site of the DuPont Chemical plant. In 1952 all the bodies were reburied at Magnolia (sic) Cemetery. -- they were reburied in Forest Lawn

To: archinfo@tsl.state.tx.us
8/19/98
Court, Julia Ann 11498
Claimant: Court, Julia Ann
Pension Number: 11498
County: Jefferson

Approved March 6, 1925
The State of Texas
County of Jefferson

To the Honorable County Judge of Jefferson County, Texas,
Your petition, Mrs. Julia Ann Court, respectfully represents that she is a resident citizen of Jefferson County, in the State of Texas; that she is the widow of Jas M Court, deceased, who was a Confederate soldier (or sailor), and that she ms this application for the purpose of obtaining a pension as the widow of said James M. Court, deceased...
Q. What is your name? Answer: Julia Ann Court
Q. What is your age? Answer: I will be 69 years old October
Q. In what County do you reside? Answer: Jefferson
Q. How long have you resided in said County and what is your post office address?
Answer: About 65 years. P.O. Beaumont, Texas
Q. Have you applied for a pension under the Confederate pension Law heretofore, and been rejected? If so, state when and where. Answer: No.
Q. What is your occupation if able to engage in one? Answer: Have ironed, unable to work Q. What is your physical condition? Answer: Enfebled by age
Q. What was the name of your deceased husband? Answer: James M Court
Q. Were you married to him anterior to March 1, 1866? Answer: I was married to my
husband in 1860 Orange Co, Tex
Q. What was the date of his death? Answer: He died in February 1891
Q. Are you unmarried, and have you so remained unmarried since the death of your said husband for whose services you claim a pension? Answer: Yes.
Q. In what State was your husband's command originally organized?
Answer: in Jefferson Co, Texas
Q. How long did your husband serve? Give date of enlistment and discharge.
Answer: about 4 years. He
enlisted about June 1961.
Q. What was the name or letter of your husband's company and name or number of his regiment? Answer: Don't know letter of Co.
Capt Keith's Co (Griffith?)
Q. State whether he served in the infantry, artillery, cavalry, or the navy.
Answer: infantry
Q. State wither or not you have received any pension or veteran donation land certificate under any previous law, and if you answer in the affirmative state what pension or veteran donation land certificate you hae received. Answer: None at all - my husband
drew a Confederate pension in his life time.
Q. What real and personal property do you now own, and what is the present value of such property? Give list of such property and value. Answer: Don't own any property.
Q. What property, and what was the value thereof, have you sold or conveyed within two years prior to the date of this application? Answer: None
Q. What income, if any, do you receive? Answer: Nothing
Q. Are you in indigent circumstances; that is, are you in actual want, and destitute of property and means of subsistence? Answer: Yes.
Q. Are you unable by your labor to earn a support? Answer: Yes.
Q. Have you transferred to others any property of value of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under this law? Answer: No.
Q. Did your husband for whose services you claim a pension, ever desert the Confederacy?
Answer: No.
Q. Have you been continuously since the first day of March, 1880, a bona fide resident citizen of this State? Answer: Yes.
(Signature of Applicant) Julia Ann Court
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th day of August, A.D. 1905
D.P. Wheat, County Judge, Jefferson Co, TX
Affidavit of Witnesses:
B.J. Johnson and R.D. Kent
sworn to 10 October 1905

Certificate of County Judge, D.P. Wheat, issued October 10, 1905.

Affidavit sworn to by C.E. Hillebrandt 10th day Oct, 1905
The State of Texas } Before me D.P.
County of Jefferson } Wheat, County Judge
Jefferson County Texas on this day personally appeared C.E. Hillebrandt known to me, who being by me duly sworn says that he was personally acquainted with James Court who is an applicant for a confederate pension, that he knew James Court for more than 50 years, that he served in the confederate army with James Court in the same company viz Capt. Keith's Company, Speight's Batallion, does not recollect letter of company, but he served with him in the years 1862-1863 when he was transferred to Capt. O'Brien's Company and he remained in Keith's Company where he served until the end of war and was finally discharged. He said that he never deserted and was finally discharged, and he had reputation of being fine soldier. He was in one of the battles of Sabine Pass, can't recollect, which, I know his wife is feeble and in indigent circumstances.
(signed) C.E. Hillebrandt
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 10th day October, 1905.
(signed) D.P. Wheat, County Judge

Certificate of County Commissioners: Issued 13 November 1905.
(commissioners who signed: Mally Eastham, H.F. Bist, B.J. Johnson, S.C. Bigham)

Comptroller's Department, State of Texas, Austin Febry 12, 1906
To the Military Secretary, War Department, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to request the military record of James M. Court who was reported to have enlisted in Company Keith's 15 Regiment, Texas Infantry in the service of the Confederate States army.
Purpose: The widow of the person above named is an applicant for a Confederate pension granted by this State, and I desire to verify his proof of service.
Very respectfully,
J.W. Stephens, Comptroller

from: War Department,
The Military Secretary's Office,
Washington,
Feb. 17, 1906
1101576

Respectfully returned to
The Comptroller, State of Texas, Austin,

The name of James Court has not been found on the rolls, on file in this office, of the 15th Regiment Texas Infantry, C.S.A.
The records show, however, that one J.M. Court, private, Captain Keith's Company (B), Spaight's Battalion Texas Infantry, C.S.A. (subsequently designated Keith's Company (I), 13th Texas infantry, C.S.A.), enlisted May 28, 1862, at Sabine. On the company muster roll for May and June, 1863, he is reported absent, detailed on gunboat "Uncle Ben," January 10, 1863; and on the company muster roll for January and February, 1864, the next and last roll on file, he is reported "absent without leave." No record of his capture or parole has been found.
(signed) The Military Secretary
______
Application for Mortuary Warrant:
Submitted by Mrs. Mary E. Smith (daughter) 1598 Cartwright Avenue, P.O. Box 864, Beaumont, Texas, sworn to 11th day of March, 1925, stating she was "person to whom is entrusted the paying of the accounts and indebtedness of the late Mrs. Julia A. Court, who was a petitioner of the State of Texas, and whose file number was 11498, and whose original county was Jefferson.
"The said pensioner died in the home of Mrs. Mary E. Smith who was related to the pensioner as Daughter.

Certificate of Undertaker:
C.M. Saunders, undertaker, Beaumont, had charge of body of Julia Ann Court, who died 25 January 1925, Pipkin & Brulin Co, Undertakers.

Certificate of Physician:
Joe Record, M.D., "attended Mrs. Julia Ann Court in her last illness, and am of the opinion that her ailments were gangrenous appendicitis."
______
Death Certificate: (Registered No.: 45)
Mrs. Julia Ann Court 1598 Cartwright, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Resident 12 years.
Personal:
Female, White, widow
Occupation: None
Date of Birth 13 Oct 1837.
Age: 88 yrs 3 mons, 11 days.
Birthplace: Tenn.
Name of Father: John Sparks, birthplace unknown
Maiden name of Mother: Melinda Jones, birth place Tenn.
Informant: Miss Vivian Smith, Beaumont, Tx.
Medical:
Date of Death: Jan 25, 1925
"I hereby certify that I attended deceased from Jan 21, 1925 to Jan 25, 1925, that I last saw her alive on Jan 25, 1925 and that death occurred on the date stated above at 12:45 pm." The cause of death was: Ruptured Chronic Appendicitis, duon 3 years.
Operation precede death: No.
Autopsy: No
Test confirmed diagnosis: Clinical
Signed: Joe Record, M.D. 1/26/1925
Place of Burial: McFaddin Cemetery 1/26/1925; Undertaker Pipkin & Brulin, Beaumont, Tx.

Census:
24 Oct 1850 Sabine Pass

residence 215:
Milton H Bloodworth 25 1825 Louisiana
Nancy (Holt) Bloodworth 18 1832 Texas
Benjamin P Bloodworth 2 1848 Louisiana
William Bloodworth 1 1849 Louisiana
Benjamin Holt 55 1795 Mississippi
Thomas C Holt 50 1800 Mississippi
Thomas D Holt 4 1846 Louisiana
William Holt 53 1797 Mississippi
Mary Ann Holt 17 1833 Texas
Thomas R Holt 26 1824 Louisiana
Charles Holt 28 1822 Louisiana
William C Holt 15 1835 Louisiana
Richard Holt 13 1837 Louisiana

Residence 216
Stockholm, Peter D. 31 1819 New York carpenter
Mary 17 1833 Louisiana
William 2 1848 Texas
Elizabeth 0 1850 Texas

Residence 217
Brewer, William 23 1827 Louisiana
Brewer, Caroline 22 1828 Louisiana

Residence 218
Solomon Sparks 30 1820 Tennessee
Martha C Sparks 30 1829 South Carolina
Lucy Ann Sparks 8 1842 Tennessee
John L Sparks 6 1844 Tennessee
James E Sparks 3 1847 Louisiana
Mary Susan Sparks 1 1849 Texas
Jacob Sparks 22 1828 Tennessee

Residence 219
John S. Sparks 39 1811 North Carolina
Melinda Sparks 29 1821 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 9 1841 Texas
Eliza J. Sparks 7 1843 Texas
John F. Sparks 4 1846 Texas
Sarah C. Sparks 1 1849 Texas
James Court 22 1828 Louisiana
Julia Ann (Sparks) Courts 14 1836 Tennessee



Census:
12 Jul 1860 Precinct No. 5 Sabine Pass
residence 378
James Court 30 mail carrier 500 Louisiana
Julia 24 TN 1856 Tennessee
Mary E 8 1852 Texas
Henry C 6 1854 Texas
Julia A 4 1856 Texas
William F 2 1858 Texas
Elias M 6/12 1859 Texas

residence 379
John Sparks 49 1811 North Carolina farmer 320 2100
Malinda Sparks 41 1819 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 19 1841 Texas
John F Sparks 14 1856 Texas
Sarah C Sparks 11 1849 Texas
Arabella H Sparks 8 1852 Texas
James C Sparks 6 1854 Texas
Worthey C Sparks 4 1856 Texas
Henry E L Sparks 8/12 1859 Texas

residence 380
Samuel Lee 38 1822 Denmark stock raiser 4,000
Eliza 16 1844 Texas


Census:
77 Coats (Courts) J.M. 40 1830 Louisiana 400, 2,000 farmer
Julia 34 1836 Tennessee
Mary 18 1852 Texas
Clifton 16 1854 Texas
Nasthentha 14 1856 Texas
William 12 1858 Texas
Madison E. 10 1860 Texas
Helmer 8 1862 Texas <<<
James 5 1865 Texas
Anna 3 1867 Texas
Lisa 8 1862 Texas

residence 78
Sparks M (Melinda) 51 1819 at home Tennessee widow
James 17 1853 Texas farm laborer
Worthy 14 1856 Texas
John 27 1843 Texas farmer

residence 79
Spark, C (Caroline) 50 1820 SC keeping house widow
Edwin 23 1847 Louisiana
Joseph 16 1854 Texas
Oscar 14 Texas
Court T.J. 27 1843 Texas (Thomas Jefferson - bro of James Court)

residence 80
Brewton W.P. 33 1837 Tennessee
Sarah (Sparks) 22 1848 Texas (Dau of Melinda)
Grace 5 1865 TX
Silas F. 8/12 1869 TX

residence 81
Lee, Samuel 52 1818 farmer 1580 Denmark
Jane E. 27 1843 Texas
Emma 3 1867 Texas


residence 82
Smith. T.J. 34 farmer 500 Indiana (Later would marry Mary Ellen Courts
Sarah 25 Texas
Electra 3/12 Texas


Census:
12 Jun 1880 Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas

210 Court, William 21 work at saw mill TX - TX
Darinda, 22 wife Texas Georgia Texas
Danie 3 dau TX
Benton 1 son TX


211
J.M. COURT Self M Male W 50 LA Wagoning ENGLAND LA
Julia A. COURT Wife M Female W 43 TN Keeping House NC AL
Helma (Helmer) COURT Son S Male W 18 TX Wagoner LA TN
James COURT Son S Male W 15 TX At Home LA TN
Annie COURT Dau S Female W 12 TX At Home LA TN
Lillian COURT Dau S Female W 8 TX At Home LA TN
Fannie COURT Dau S Female W 5 TX At Home LA TN
Emmet COURT Son S Male W 3 TX At Home LA TN
Viola COURT Dau S Female W 11M TX At Home LA TN

213
Court, Clifton 25 1855 raftsman TX LA TN
Fannie 26 1854 TX TN TN
Ella M. 3 1877 TX


(Peter Stockholm & Pierre Frugia in this community. No Sparks or Blocks or Burrrells. Must be Beaumont proper.)


Residence:
Court, Edgar B., wks United Lbr & Export Co, h. James F. Court.
Court, Emmett, wks United Lbr & Export Co., r. 1 blk w of same.
Court, Homer, wks United Lbr & Export Co. h. James F. Court
Court, H. Clifton, watchman mill, A, Kirby Lumber Co., r 747 South Grand ave, Cartwright add. 8
Court, James F., wks United Lbr & Export Co., r 1 blk w of same. 4
Court, Julia A. (wid James), h. Emmett Court
Court, S. Helmer, carp r 350 Jackson ave, 5
(five children - Bea, age 8; Hal age 6; Gladys age 3; abt 2; Lillian born 22 Jan 1904)

Census:
(Near McFaddin)
residence 537
Smith, Thomas F. 51 1859 Texas USA USA m1 23 yrs farmer truck and corn
Mary E. wife 57 57 1853 Texas m2 7 births 6 living
Brewer, Bella D. stepdaughter 26 1884 single
Smith, James T. son 22 1888 Texas laborer oil fields
Smith Ella V. daughter 16 1894 Texas
Courts Julia A. mother-in-law 73 1837 widow TN USA USA
Sparks, William E. cousin 59 1851 single Texas Texas Texas
laborer truck farm

residence 538
Courts Matte E. 49 1861 Texas Texas Texas m2 21 yrs farmer truck farm
Mary E. wife 49 1861 m2 10 births 8 living Texas NY Texas
Coy G. son 16 1894 Texas
Emma S. daughter 8 1902 Texas
Emmet M. brother 34 1876 single Texas Texas Texas farmer truck farm


Other-Begin:
Court Cause No. 16107
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr., et al
vs
Unknown Heirs of Caroline Sparks, et al

Court Cause No. 18399
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr., et al
vs
Robert S. Frugia, et al

Court Cause No. 20324
W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr. et al
vs.
Coy V. Courts, et al (Sr.)

On this 10th day of August 1961, came on to be heard the application of the plaintiffs in the above entitled and numbered cause for an order of the court showing that the plaintiffs have complied with the judgments previously entered in said cause and further showing that the plaintiffs or their successors in interest are entitled to the free and unrestricted use of the land hereinafter described, as set forth in plaintiff's petition in the above entitled and numbered causes...
(pgs 10-13 of attached pdf)


Buried:
d.c. widowed, res 1598 Cartwright
residence there 12 yrs.
88 yr. 3 mos 11 days
birthplace, TN, Father: John Sparks, birthplace unk;
mother Melinda Jones, birthplace, Tenn.
cause of death, ruptured chronic appendicitis
died at 12:45 p.m.
informant, Miss Vivian Smith


Died:
Mrs. Julia Ann Court.

Funeral services for Julia Ann (Sparks) Court, 88, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Smith, 1598 Cartwright, at 12:45 p.m. Sunday. Services were held at the late residence at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon with Rev. J. W. Goodwin of the Roberts Avenue Methodist church officiating. Burial was in McFaddin cemetery at Port Arthur under direction of Pipkin & Burlin Company. (Note - Should have been called Sparks Cemetery as it was a Sparks Cemetery first) Mrs. Court was a pioneer Beaumonter, and had lived here 86 years. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Messie Brewton of Beaumont and Mrs. Jane Lee of Port Neches; one brother, W. C. Sparks Beaumont; three daughter Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. J. L Sparks and Mrs. Annie Willis all of Beaumont, and 57 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

I'm sure Solomon Sparks and a number of other kinfolks or buried in the Sparks's Cemetery. Do not know for sure when the Sparks's Cemetery was closed.
(cemetery was exhumed and moved to Forest Lawn, see Cemeteries section)

shared by James Willis Sparks29 -- author?

Notes:

Married:
Name: James Courts
Marriage Date: 15 Oct 1850

Spouse: Julia Ann Sparks

Marriage County: Jefferson
Marriage State: Texas

Source: County Court Records - FHL microfilm # 1311466


license 12th day of October 1850 by I.K. Robertsosn, county clerk
marriage 15th day of October 1850 by William Chisholm, Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 5.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1785, Surry Co, North Carolina
• Census: 1830, Jackson Co, Alabama

Notes:

William's name, year and state of birth supplied to WileyZ by Jay Sparks (jsparks@beamans.com) who states that the info was supplied to him by Paul Sparks, President of The Sparks Family Association and publisher of the Sparks Quarterly. He states "All of these and about 65% of the other people, I have written a biography about them also." This line from William (1785) going back to Thomas (1615) was also found in FTM Vol 2, Tree 5319 and Vol 1, Tree 4794.

Date: 98-05-14 11:09:12 EDT
From: jsparks@beamans.com (JAY SPARKS)
To: Wileyz@aol.com (John E Sharp)
William Sparks could have been born early as 1785 and maybe as late as 1790 in North Carolina . William married some where around 1810 in Franklin County, Tennessee. As we are not sure when he and his father, Joseph and the rest of the family moved from Surry County, North Carolina to Franklin County, Tennessee.
William died some where in the late 1830 or the early 1840. The 1830 census told us that he had eight children and five were born in Tennessee and three in Alabama. The ones we have record of remain together after their father died. The s died at a young age or were never put on any record we have found. I have gone through every record that I have been able to find and have gone through all of the material that has came out in the Sparks Quarterly that is put out by Paul Sparks in Louisville, Kentucky. The only record that we found tied the four brothers together. We have hoped that one of the relatives of the other brother and sisters would come up with the answers to the other. In 1820 census there was only two families living in Tennessee, one was William Sparks and the other was Samuel Sparks. The Sparks's Quarterly has Samuel and his family also. This made it easer to identify each family. When it came to the daughter they are lost for ever. With no will there is no way to find out who they may have married. Only hope is that some ones Great, great, Grandmother was a sister to the brothers and then let it be know. We know that William's first five children were born in Tennessee. What makes it bad or sad that in so many marriages for what ever reason there is no record of the wife, not even the name. But I guess we should be thankful that we have as many records as we do. In so many cases record were devastated by fire,war, age and just wasn't taken care of were destroyed. William moved his family to neighboring Jackson County, Alabama, where he was listed as the head of his family on the 1830 census. An analysis of enumerations of his household on the 1820 and 1830 census that he had eight children, five sons and three daughters. The only record that we could find were of the four sons that moved west, such as John Sidney born near Gatlenburg, Tennessee in 1811 Married Malinda Jones, had two children William in 1834 and Julia Ann in 1836 born in Tennessee, John and family was in Jefferson County, Texas in 1838.
Daniel was born 1816 in Tennessee, and we believe that he made this trip with his older brother. He married Julia Justice in 1842 in Louisiana, where he remained the rest of his life. Solomon born 1819 in Tennessee - Married Martha Smith inh Carolina on 3/23/1841. They had two children in Tennessee, Lucy Ann 1842 and John L. 1844. Then he started his move, James Edwin born 1847 in Louisiana, and then Mary Susan born 1848 in Jefferson County, Texas.
Jacob E. was born 1828 in Alabama and believed he made the trip with Solomon in 1847 or before. he remained in Louisiana and in and out of Texas till around 1853 when he married Nancy Johnson and moved to Colorado County, Texas. He lived thill his death in 1871.
If any of the other children made these moved there have been know record to indicate such.
_________________________________________

http://sparksfamilytree.net/family_tree/wga98.html#I22824

See THE SPARKS QUARTERLY, June 1987, Whole No. 138, pg. 3060:

"William Sparks, probable son of Joseph Sparks, was born between 1780 and 1790. When the 1820 census was taken of Franklin County, Tennessee, he and his wife had five children living in their household, all born between 1810 and 1820. Sometime between 1820 and 1830, William Sparks moved his family to neighboring Jackson County, Alabama, where he was listed as the head of his family on the 1830 census. An analysis of thee numerations of his household on the 1820 and 1830 censuses suggests that he probably had eight children, five sons and three daughters. We have no further record of William Sparks."


**********


Also see SPARKS QUARTERLY, March 1989, Whole No. 145, pp 3355-65 , THESPARKSES OF EARLY JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.


"William Sparks, head of the above enumerated household, [referring tothe 1820 census of Franklin County, Tennessee] was born between 1780 and1790 and was probably a son of Joseph Sparks (365), the eldest son ofSolomon (356) and Sarah Sparks, who had moved from Frederick County,Maryland, to North Carolina about 1755. Joseph was born probably about1751 in Maryland. He was listed on the 1790 and 1800 censuses of SurryCounty, North Carolina, but by 1820 he was in Franklin County,Tennessee. (He may have been there earlier but we have found no recordof him. The 1800 and 1810 censuses of Tennessee have been destroyed.)Joseph Sparks apparently had six sons: John, Abel, William, George,Solomon, and Jonathan. He probably died between 1820 and 1830 inFranklin County, Tennessee. (See pages 3057-3060 of the June 1987 issue of the QUARTERLY, Whole No. 138, for a more detailed sketch of Joseph Sparks and his family.)


"Sometime between 1820 and 1830, William Sparks, probably son of Joseph, moved his family to Jackson County, Alabama. It probably was not much of a move, for Franklin County, Tennessee (formed in 1807) and Jackson County, Alabama (formed in 1819) have a common boundary about twenty-five miles long. When the 1830 census was taken of Jackson County,the family of William Sparks consisted of 1 male, born 1825-30; 1 male,born 1820-25; 2 males, born 1815-30; 1 female, born 1815-20; 1 femaleborn 1820-15; and 1 female born 1790-1800. Living nearby was JonathanSparks, born 1780-90, and his family. He was probably a brother ofWilliam Sparks.


"From these census records, it seems apparent that William Sparks was probably born about 1785 and that his wife was born about 1790. They were probably married about 1810, and they had eight children, five sonsand three daughters, all born between 1810 and 1830. We have no further information about this couple, they may have died before the 1840 censuswas taken.


"During the 1830s, the family of William Sparks apparently scattered leaving few, if any, records in either Franklin County, Tennessee, or inJackson County, Alabama. Son, John Sparks married, probably in Tennesseeabout 1834, and his first two children were born there, but by 1839 , hewas in Texas. Son, Solomon Sparks went to Hardeman County, Tennessee, where he married in 1841. His first two children were born in Tennessee before he, too, started southward. He stopped for a while in Louisiana where his third child was born about 1846, but by 1850, he was in Texas. Son, Daniel Sparks married about 1844, probably in Louisiana, and he was in Natchitoches Parish in 1850. Son Jacob Sparks was in Jefferson County, Texas, in 1850, but shortly afterwards he married and moved to Colorado County, Texas.


"We have no further information about William Sparks, nor have we learned the name of his wife. As can be readily seen, we have used agreat deal of conjecture in trying to identify his sons. In spite of conjecture, however, we feel that there are pieces of substantial evidence in the paragraphs written above. Perhaps some of our feelings come from the similarity of the given names, such as Solomon, Joseph, John, George, William, and Jacob. These are the same names that we find in the Maryland Sparkses and were carried to North Carolina. We believe that they were also carried across the mountains to Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and on west."


[The article continues with information on his children.]
http://www.sparksfamilytree.net/ghtout/npr601.html#H03079

Census:
Name:
Wm Sparkes
[Wm Sparks]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama

Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1 1825-1830 Jacob E.
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825 son6
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820 Daniel; Solomon
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815 John S
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1781-1790 1 Wm
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830 dau7
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1 1816-1820 dau4
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815 dau2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 1791-1800 Mrs.
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):10

next door: (Melinda b 1819 or age 11; not here)
Martin (translated Master) Jones,
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:1 1791-1800
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):10
(Martin Jones m Rhoda (Martin) Hodges 10 Jul 1804 Jefferson Co TN)
(Wm Jones m Elizabeth Randolph 25 May 1804 Jefferson Co)

same page:
Chesby R Jones (maybe a bro?)
[Cirby R Jones]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):2

Tho Jone [Thos Jones] (Melinda b 1819 or age 11)
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 2 1771-1780
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
*** COULD BE MELINDA ***
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 9


all names on page 101 in sequence:
Edward Berry; Jas Simmons; Geor W. Wichell; Samuel Reynolds; Barbary Lathas; Pashot Pringle; John Jolly; Wm Compbelle; Wm Davis; Thomas Molson; Wm Gowens; Robt G. Hord; David Gowens; Eliphodd Jarvis; Wm Sparkes; Master Jones; Joseph Resk; Abram Goose; Chesby R. Jones; Martin Gowens; Tho Jone; Joel Kee; Saml Kerk; Mans L. Bumalley; Barnet Cheathan; Wm Campbelle

William* married (Mrs. James Sparks*) Sparks about 1808 in Washington Co, Virginia (?). (Mrs. was born between 1791 and 1800; died after 1830 in of, Jackson Co, Alabama. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Some records show Rhoda Pennington, but she was wife to another James Sparks, apparently another line of Sparks.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1829, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: 2 Mar 1836, Jefferson Co, Texas; resident at Texas Independence
• Death: 1841, Texas; (not verified)

Notes:

John Johnson, son of Moses, often confused with John L. "Saddler" Johnson.
Moses shown to be in Natchez MS 1791-194
Moses shown to be in Opel in 1796 when he witnessed sis-in-law Susanne Robert, and Jacob Welsh marriage
chronology of John, Moses son - (nowhere shown as John L.)
John Johnson b 1802 Louisiana
bt 1803 Opel
m Mary Ann Clark 1827 Opel
div Mary Ann Clark bet 1827 and 1829
Mary Ann remarried 1830 in Opel
m2 Melinda Cole 1829
moved to Texas 1829
resident in Jefferson Co, Texas at Texas Independence in 1836
children Eliz 1833 TX
James bet 1835 and 1838 TX
Nancy 1837 TX
Sarah 1838
Moses 1843
probably died before 1845 when Melinda married John Riley.
some records say 1841 but not verified.


compared to John L. "Saddler" Johnson
b 1796 Kentucky
m 14 May 1820 St. Landry Parish - John Johnson m Polly Miller
1726 Atascocita Dist Texas census age 28 (1796) KY
1830? (3rd son Aaron b 1832 in Bayou Chicot, Evangeiine)
1840 census?
1841 5th son Napoleon b 1841 Leesville, Vernon, LA
1850 Calcasieu Parish 1798 KY Planter living with wife Nancy 1805, between adopted sons
1860 Rapides Parish
John L. Johnson 1797 KY farmer & wife Nancy "Polly" Miller 1804 MS
living next to family member of his future dau-in-law who later married his son Napoleon. Other side is adopted son Gibson.
1865 Rapides Parish m Mary Jane (..) Gilcrease)
1870 Sabine Parish Louisiana
John L. Johnson 1798 KY boot and shoe
1870 census with Mary Jane

John L. "Saddler" always in LA with exception of Atascocita. But I have not seen that entry to know if he used his middle initial "L" or not; but age and place of birth are consistent with John L.

John son of Moses moved early to Jefferson County and stayed there. Births of their children verify their places.

Christened:
Johnson, John (Moses & Anne Robert - residents of this post) bt 7 Aug 1803 at age 1 yr. Spons: Patrick Maglallen (perhaps McClelland) & Rebecca Robert. Fr. Louis Buhot (Opel. Ch. v.1-B, p 310)

Opelousas Post
Moses Johnson, Anna Robert
Maria - bt Aug 7 1803 seven years old
Godparents Daniel Callaghan and wife

Isabelai bt Aug 7 1803 eight years old, godparents Benjamin Robert and Ysabela Cools (?).

Abraham bt 7 Aug 1803 four years old, godparents
Robert Taylor and Rebecca Robert

Benjamin bt Aug 7 1803 three years old, godparents Thomas Gragery and Maria Johnson

Juan bt Aug 7 1803, one year old, godparents, Patricio Moglollon and Rebecca Robert

Residence:
residence 1829
First Settlers of Jefferson Co, Texas by Gifford White
Land Grants in Texas: 7th Applicant: John Johnson took and Subscribed to the oath required by the 12th Secretary of Land Law that he emigrated to this country in 1829. It was proven that he was a citizen of Texas at the date of the Declaration of Independence by the oath of James Drake and Clairborn West.

Residence:
First Settlers of Jefferson Co, Texas by Gifford White
Land Grants in Texas: 7th Applicant: John Johnson took and Subscribed to the oath required by the 12th Secretary of Land Law that he emigrated to this country in 1829. It was proven that he was a citizen of Texas at the date of the Declaration of Independence by the oath of James Drake and Clairborn West.

Died:
Melinda remarried Riley in 1845 and is shown with her children in Texas in 1850.

John married Melinda Ann Cole on 15 Sep 1829 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Melinda (daughter of James Cole, Sr and Sarah Simmons) was born in 1815 in Plaquemine Brulee, Acadia Parish, Louisiana; died on 07 Oct 1870 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 25 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 22 Jun 1960, Duncans Wood (Precinct 2), Orange Co, Texas

Notes:

Census:
residence 221
John Railey 51 1799 Georgia laborer <<
Delinda Railey 34 1816 LA (Malinda Cole Johnson)
Elisabeth Railey 17 1833 LA (step-dau Elisabeth Johnson)
James Railey 14 1836 TX (step-son James Johnson)
Nancy Railey 13 1837 TX (step-dau Nancy Johnson)
Sally Railey 12 1838 TX (step-dau Sally Johnson)
Moses Railey 7 1843 TX (step-son Moses Johnson)
Christian Railey 2 1848 TX
James Hayes 23 1827 LA laborer
Emily Hayes 21 1829 TX
Alzena Hayes 2 1848 2
Matilda Hayes 0 6/12 TX 1850


residence 223
Clubb, Thos B. 32 1818 SC laborer
Clubb Maria 24 1826 TX
Clubb William C. 1846
Clubb Sarah 1 1849
Burris Enos 1801 Canada blacksmith
Gibson Robert 20 1830 England laborer
Willis John 16 1834 TX laborer (relation unk)
Willis William 49 1801 TN laborer (relation unk)
Willis William J. 14 1836 LA laborer (relatin unk)
Wilson John 27 1823 LA laborer (relation unk)
Taylor John 39 1811 TN laborer (relation unk)

residence 224
Thomas F. Smith 31 1819 carpenter Tennessee
Ella A. 26 1824 Pennsylvania
Nancy F. 4 1846 Louisiana
William M. 2 1848 Texas
Sarah L. Lawrey 14 1836 Ohio (relation unk)
James Penrod 18 1832 laborer Illinois (relation unk)
James Dyson 57 1793 saddler Mississippi (relation unk)


Census:
21 Jun 1860 Orange Co, Texas Precinct 2, PO Duncans Wood
pg 27
178 John Harmon 22 1838 TX <<
Mary (Means) 19 1841 LA
Martha 3 1857 TX
Milley 1 1859 TX

180 Harmon John 70 1790 LA
Elizabeth 1793 LA
Green, Manda 20 1840 TX

pg 29
res 192 Solomon Sparks 40 1820 Alabama
Martha C Sparks 40 1820 S.C
John L 16 1844 TN
James E 14 1846 LA
William E 9 1851 TX
Mary S 11 1849 TX
Joseph M 7 1853 TX
Oscah 4 1856 TX

res 193 John Railah 1798 62
Malinda Railah 1816 44
Christian W Railah 1848 12 TX
Isaac P Railah 8 1852 TX
Rachel D Railah 5 1855 TX
Mary C Railah 3 1857 TX
Julia C 2 1858


pg 30
201 Burrell James 35 1825 LA
Elizabeth 25 1835 LA
William 12 1848 TX
Robert 10 1850
Emoly 8 1852
David 3 1857
Lucy 2 1858
Frederick Burrell 19 1841 TX

pg 31
207 Gallier Jane 23 1837 MS
Rufus 6 1854 TX
Andrew 4 1856 TX
Willis 3 1857 TX

pg 36
229 Jemima Morgan 54 1806 LA
Allen 20 1840 TX
William 17 1843
Sarah 1 1847

pg 38
238 Myers James 31 1829 LA
Sarah E 27 1833 TX
James Orin 1 1859 TX
Mary Myers 70 1790 LA

240 John Cole 55 1805 farmer LA
Rachel 55 1805 LA
Absalome 20 1840 stock keeper TX
James 16 1844 stock keeper TX
Hulda 13 1847 TX
Clark 20 1830 stock keeper TX

241 Mark Cole 25 1835 TX
Hester A. 21 1839 TX
Hulda 1 1859 TX

Notes:

Married:
Melinda Cole 15 September 1829 (SLR Johnston, John (Moses & Nancy Robarbs) m 15 September 1829 Melinda Cole (Opel. Ch. p 57)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1826, "Delas," sailed from Liverpool, England to New Orleans
• Residence: Abt 1831, Lavaca Bay region, Texas
• Residence: 1832, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: Between 1836 and 1845, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas; Republic of Texas
• Property: 13 Apr 1838, Palo Pinto Co, Texas
• Property: Bef 1 May 1838, Jefferson Co, Texas

Notes:

Moved to Texas in 1829 according to 1850 Jefferson Co, Census.

Edmond Speer - Jul 19, 2001 View | Viewers | Reply to this item
I just returned from a trip to North Texas where Kittie and I made a jog over to the head waters of the Palo Pinto river, where, as I take it , Thomas Courts was given a section of land by the Texas government somewhere around 1838. He then sold it shortly after his death, around 1852. Acording to historical markers, Anglo settlers did not arrive untill around the 1850s. When we get upstairs some day we are going to have to talk to him about this, because it is a beautiful place. There is a large power plant setting at the head of the river, and some very nice homes thru that area. The sceanery was great and peaceful.
Judy Armstrong had a plat of the exact location of this property. I will try to obtain a copy of it from her husband or sister next time I get to Beaumont.

__________
Birth estimated by Kirby's account that his father said Thomas was an "old man" when he drowned. A conflicting story of his drowning is that rather than returning to England for possessions, he had a boat that he hauled timber with and subsequently drowned in Galveston Bay. According to this account, he and James Madison and his other sons were raftsmen and hauled timber a good portion of their lives. Henry Clifton, a grandson, hauled timber till he was 76 years old. James Cole, son of Henry, also worked timber until 1932 when the industry shut down.
__________
(notes of Kirby Courts:)
These facts are known about Thomas Court. He was in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, in 1828; a marriage certificate for he and Anna Johnson are recorded.
Thomas and Anna came to Texas in 1828 or 1829; he is listed in the Book "1830 Citizens of Texas" by Gifford White. This book was a census of the 6,500 pre-Revolutionary Texans. Thomas was the 162nd applicant for a land grant from Steven Ftin in 1829. It was granted in 1838. The grant was for one league 4,428.4 acres plus 177.1 acres in Jefferson County, Texas. "1840 Citizens of Texas Land Grants Vol 3."
The Jefferson Co Clerk's Report for 1838 lists Thomas Court as a pioneer in Jefferson Co. Thomas never shows up on a census report taken in 1840 or 1850. His last child, Paul Phelan, was born in March 1846. Thomas probably died before thsus of 1850. This assumption is made due to Anna being wed to Enos Burrows in October 1851 (Jefferson Co Marriage Book Pg 6).
Where did Thomas Court come from? In the census of Colonial America, they list: John Court, Maryland Colony in 1642; John Court, Dobbs Co, North Carolina in 1769; M. Court, Somerset Co, New Jersey in 1778; W. Court, Somerset Co, New Jern 1780. Could he be a soldier of the English Military that fought against Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812? This battle was fought two weeks after England had surrendered to the U.S. The soldiers were released after this battle. Did he stay in America?
In going through the census reports for the U.S., I have found hundreds of Court and Courts listed in every state of the Union. They are listed in all possessions of the British Empire. At this point I can go no further than I have with s Court. My gut feeling is he was from the Eastern part of the U.S.
________
"A History of Jefferson County, Texas from Wilderness to Reconstruction" by
W.T. Block ( a SIGNED copy, no less!), 1976

pg 22 -
After John McGaffey moved to Sabine Pass in 1832, he was joined in the same year by Thomas Courts, an Englishman, who had abandoned the Lavaca Bay region because of hostile Indians.55 In 1835, McGaffey applied for a land grant at Sabine, but, shortly after Dr. John A. Veatch completed the league's survey in November, 1835, the Nacogdoches land office closed. There is no record of other settlers at Sabine Pass until Benjamin Johnson and Jacob H. Garner, McGaffey's brothers-in-law, moved there in April 1838.56
"http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txjeffer/history/Block/Jefferson_County_History/Chapter05.htm

Has a note that this came from "History of the Thomas Courts Family, Port Arthur News, undated clipping, circa 1938, copy owned by WT Block

pg 25 - "In her 'Story of Beaumont', Florence Stratton stated that Captain George W. Hargraves commanded a militia company of sixty-two men at Beaumont in August, 1835, and was en route to San Jacinto with twenty-one
men when the battle was fought."
A list of the men follows with the last on the list being Jim Courts...in a footnote, WTB states that some members on the list may have been too young...census records and tombstones indicate that Courts was born in 1829...

pg 96 - "The greater concentration of Germans settled ib mid-Jefferson County, and by 1860, comprised one-half of the one hundred persons residing at Smith's Bluff and Grigsby's Bluff, where a post office was established
in 1859." "The German population at Grigsby's Bluff included William, Charles, and George Christian Gentz..."
from: Julia Brittain - judyb@pdq.net (She is a descendent of McGaffey)
===========================
[23 June 1842]

Republic of Texas
County of Jefferson

Know all men by these presents that I Thomas
Court, for and in consideration of the sum of
one hundred and fifty Dollars to me in hand
paid by Niles F. Smith the [??] of which is hereby
acknowledged here this day. Granted, Bargained, sold
and Conveyed and by these presents doth grant, bargain
sell and convey unto the said Niles F. Smith his heirs
and assigns forever the following described piece
or parcel of land situated in Jefferson County --
To Wit -- One Labor of Land surveyed off of my
head right League + Labor -- West am adjoining the
survey of one League of land made for John McGaffey
on the Sabine Pass said Labor of land is the
same surveyed by Corday sometime last November or
December [??] said Thos. Courts --

To have and to hold said labor of land to him the said Niles F. Smith, his heirs and assigns with all the rights and
... And the said Court will
warrant and defined the said labor of
land to him the said Niles F. Smith, his heirs and
assigns forever.

In testiment to which I
have herewith set my hand +
seal this 23 dy of June 18[42]

Witnesses -- Thomas Court

Charles C. Burch
[James] Smith

----------------------------------------------
[9 June 1851]

The State of Texas
County of Jefferson
Before me J. W. Hutchings a
Notary Public in aforesaid
county and State this day personally appeared Charles
C. Burch, a subscribing witness to the within + forgoing
deed and being by me duly sworn, deposes + says that he
saw Thomas Court sign the same + heard him acknowl.
edge it to be his act + deed for the purposes
and considerations therein stated.
In Testimony ...
hereunto ...
+ appeared this witness
the seal of my office at
Sabine Pass this 9th dy of
June A.D. 1851
J. H. Hutchings
Notary Public

===========================
Notice

Is hereby given that on this 15th day of
June A.D. 1854 -- William Lewis has filed
his application for Letters of Administration
upon the Estate of Thomas Court
deceased. Sue Pilsow having objections
will file the same in accordance with law.

Beaumont June 15th A.D. 1854

J.K. Robertson clerk county court
Jefferson County
--------------------------------
[15 July 1854]

I do solomnly swear that Thomas
Court Sr. died without leaving any
lawful will for us I know or
believe and that I will andd
truly perform all the duties of
administration of the said Thomas
Court, Deceased.
William Lewis
--------------------------------
[undated]

To the Hon. Chief Justice
Your petitioner William Lewis at the request
of Some of the ... of the Estate of Thomas Sr. Court
applies for letters of administration on the Estate
said Thomas Court Sr. who died in Jefferson County
in debt and a resident citizen of said county.
William Lewis
Applicant
------------------------------------------------------------
[ca. Summer 1855]

Will be sold at Public Auction at the Court House
door at Beaumont Jefferson County on the first
Tuesday of September A.D. 1855 in pursuance of an
order of the Probate Court of said county so much
of the Headright League of Land of Thomas Court
belonging to the Estate of Thomas Court deceased.
Situated in McClennon County in the Palo Pinto river
as will be sufficient to make five hundred dollars.
Reference is had to the Patent now on file in the
County Clerk's Office for a more particular description
of said Lands -- Terms of Sale Twelve Months Credit

William Lewis, admin.
of Thomas Court deceased
-----------------------------------------------------------
Administration of Thomas P. Courts

To Wm Armstrong Sr.
to locating surveying one League of Land the
Headright of Thos. Court 85.00
for recording field notes 3.00
fees paid on patent 12.60
Total: 100.60

Pay the above account to James Armstrong or
D. J. Otho Millard
Wm Armstrong


State of Texas
Jefferson County
Personally came
before me the undersigned Justice of the
Peace, James Armstrong attorney for Willi-
am Armstrong who after being sworn
according to law, says under oath that
this claim is just and that all legal
offsets, payments and credits known to
the applicant have been allowed, and
signed his name.
James Armstrong

Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 13th day of July A.D. 1855
John K. Robertson
Justice of peace
J.C.
______________________________
[28 Apr 1857]

Notice

Is hereby given that on this 28th day of April A.D.
1857, Niles F. Smith has filed his application
for Letters of Administration on the Estate of
Thomas Court, Deceased. Any person having
objections will file the Same within two days in
accordance with law.

Beaumont April 28th A.D. 1857

J.K. Robertson clerk county court
Jefferson County
-----------------------------------------------------------
[8 September 1857]
To the Sherrif of Said County, Greeting.
Whereas the County Court for said Conuty
at the August ... thereof on the 31st day of ...
Month made and entered of record its order
in the following words, viz--

Matter of Est. of
Ths. Court Dec'd Est.
Wm. Lewis Adm. Ordered by the Court that the
Administrator in this Matter
come forward and exhibit to this court the
condition of the Estate of the Said decedent.
Therefore you are hereby commanded to
notify the Said Administrator viz William Lewis
If he be found in your county that he is hereby
required to be and appear before the said court
to be holden in for said county at the court
house in the town of Beaumont on the last
Monday the 28th day of September A.D. 1857
there to comply with the foregoing order.
Herein fail not +c.
In testimony whereof I hereunto
set my hand affix my seal of office
... this wnd this 8th day of
September A.D. 1857
[G.H.O. Bozan] Clerk
Clerk Jeff.Co.
--------------------------------------------------------
Timeline
1810: - Anna Johnson born in LA
1828:Aug 19 -Thomas Court marries Anna Johnson
1829 - Thomas Court comes to Texas
1828-30 - James Madison Court is born
1834:Feb 14 - Sarah Ann Court is born
1837:Jan 31 - Rachel Court is born
1838:Apr 13 - certificate 162 entitles Thomas Court to land
1840:Dec 24 - Lucritia Debethia Court is born
1840:Sep 21 - Courts register brands:
Thomas (the Englishman?)
James (if son, aged 11. Is that normal? Or is this someone else??)
John
(a Sarah EB and Rachel are listed just above with some Clarks)
1842:Jun 23 - Thomas Court sells one labor of land to Niles F. Smith for $150
1844 - Paul Phelan Court is born
1848:Jul 21 - James Courts registers brand -- a different one
1850 - James marries Julia Ann Sparks. Thomas not listed in census.
1851:Mar 12 - land granted to Thomas Court by the State of Texas
1851:Jun 3 - Sarah Court registers a brand - a different one from before
1852:Jun 09 - Charles C Burch swears he saw Thomas Court sign [something]
1852 - Sarah Ann marries Lewis King
1854:Jun 15 - Wm Lewis files app for Letters of Admin on estate of Thos Court
1854:Jul 15 - Wm Lewis swears Thos Court left no will & he (Wm) will carry out admin
1854:Aug 18 - Wm Lewis appointed administrator of Estate of Thos. Court
1855:Jul 13 - Niles F Smith files grievance. Has not been given possession of land bought in '42
1855:Jul 30 - Wm Lewis accepts claim of Niles F Smith. Niles asks payment of $306 be made to Wm Burgett, who apparently represented him. ($150 plus 8% interest over 13 years)
1855:Jul 30 - Wm Lewis asks premission to auction off land to pay $406 debt plus expenses ($306 plus admin costs)
1855:Sep - 1st Tues - Admin Sale on steps of courthouse - enough of land in McClennon Co to raise $500
- Wm Burgett 1388 acres of head right at 35 cents an acre to be divided between him and the heirs
1856:Apr 18 - James Madison Court sells his one-seventh of the land to Wm Burgett
1857:Apr 28 - Niles F Smith files app for Letters of Admin on Thos Court estate
1857:Sep 08 - Wm Lewis called to court to report on Court estate on Monday 28 Sep 1857.
1857:Sep 24 - Sales earned $499.68, paid debts to Niles F Smith and ?Wm Armstrong
1857:Oct 26 - Wm Lewis says all debts paid, some land left in Palo Pinto County
1857:Nov 30 - Court fees of $8.85 paid
1860:Mar 18 - Rachel marries Henry Clay Smith
1861:Sep 20 - TJ Court enlists Co A Spaight's Batallion (Muster Roll)
1861:Oct 01 - TJ Court enlists Co A Spaight's Batallion (Pension Records)
1867:Jun 14 - TJ Court married S.E. in Blanco county, TX
1868:Oct 01 - Julia Ann Court registers a brand
1870:May 23 - H. C. Court registers a brand
1870:Oct 03 - Clifton Courts registers a brand
1873:Oct 20 - Wm G. Courts registers a brand
1888:Sep 01 - Matt Court registers a brand
1898:Mar 16 - Helmer Courts registers a brand
1898:Jun 25 - ?ay Courts registers a brand
1902:May 08 - Emma Courts registers a brand
1908:Nov 25 - TJ Court died in Comanche County
1917:Mar 16 - Widow of TJ Court, S.E., dies in Hasse, TX.

Christened:
Baptism: 5 Jan 1800 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Thomas Court - Son of Thomas Court & Ellen
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1792 - 1812, Page 128, Entry 12
Source: Film 1278804
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Blackburn/Blackburn-Central/stmary/baptisms_1800.html


http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Blackburn/Blackburn-Central/stmary/index.html

Baptisms at the church of St Mary the Virgin
in the Parish of Blackburn
Baptism Register: 1792 - 1812
Baptisms for the Year 1800


Immigration:
(from Debbie)
The following is an e-mail from a very nice lady named Diane Francis. I found her on a forum looking for info on her Cort, Ainsworth lines. Her reply gives me hope that we have at last found when and where Thomas Court entered the U.S. I'm still investigating, but wanted to share the news. I have asked her for more information and will let you all know as soon as I receive her reply. This is her e-mail to me:

Hi Debbie
I'm not sure that your ancestors are related as we don't have any Thomas Cort born around that time. I have however looked up passenger lists for the years 1820 /1830 and there is listed a Thomes Court, age unknown , who arrived in USA 1826.
Ship: Delas
Port of departure Liverpool
Port of Arrival: New Orleans
Date of Arival: March 2, 1826.
This would tie in with your dates. There are severals strands of the Cort family in the Lancashire area. Also the family of Henry Cort the inventor. They came from Lancaster.Hope this is of some use. If there is anything I can do , let me know.
Good hunting
Di.

---
"Maybe someday one of us will luck out and find more info or the actual manifest somewhere. I could try writing New Orleans, but have no idea where to even start on to get the listing. Do you have any ideas."

Note; found Ship Delis Liverpool, England to Boston, Massachusetts
25 September 1826 master: Joseph Hatch Junior
http://immigrantships.net/1800/delos18260925.html


Residence:
After John McGaffey moved to Sabine Pass in 1832, he was joined in the same year by Thomas Courts, an Englishman, who had abandoned the Lavaca Bay region because of hostile Indians.

55 History of The Thomas Courts Family, Port Arthur News, undated clipping, circa 1938, copy owned by the writer.
(W.T. Block)


Residence:
per historical marker in Lions Park in Sabine Pass


Property:
Property surveyed on May 3rd, 1850.


Property:
List compiled 1 May 1838, Jefferson County, recorded in Beaumont.
Thomas Court 1 league and labor Immigrated to country (Texas) 1829)

Thomas* married Ann* Johnson on 19 Aug 1828 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Ann* (daughter of Moses** Johnson and Nancy** Anna Robert) was born in 1810 in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died after 1860 in of, Calhoun Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt 1831, Lavaca Bay region, Texas
• Census: 08 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 19 Jun 1860, Aransas, Refugio Co, Texas
• Census: 18 Jul 1860, Calhoun Co (Precinct 4), Texas; P.O. Saluria Island

Notes:

Marriage Bond:
Bonded by Thomas Court and James Cole - witnessed by David Simmons and Ben B. Jefferson.
License: Witnesses: Jake & David Simmons; performed by Isham Nettles, Baptist minister.
Certificate: Ben B. Jefferson and David Simmons

Benjamin B. Jefferson was one of the witnesses attending to the sale account of the estate of Nancy Sullivan on September 15, 1929

Note: Daughters of Moses Johnson and Nancy Roberts -
1. Anna m Thomas Court 2. Marie m James Hayes, Sr.
child James Madison Court child James Hayes, Jr.
child Helmer Samuel Courts child Matilda Hayes
child Claudie Gentz
Helmer Samuel Courts m Claudie Gentz, 1st cousins, once removed.

1850 Jeff Co census shows Anna head of household with only Lucretia and Paul Phelan, ages 10 and 6, living at home.

1860 Rufugio census:
Enis Burrows 59 Blacksmith, $300 (value personal real estate) ?
Ann 52 LA
Paul 14 TX

Residence:
After John McGaffey moved to Sabine Pass in 1832, he was joined in the same year by Thomas Courts, an Englishman, who had abandoned the Lavaca Bay region because of hostile Indians.

Census:
8 oct 1850 Sabine Pass
(census pages does not say "Sabine Pass" but the census taker was Worth Patridge, who was a prominent citizen of Sabine Pass)

residence 99
Anna Court 40 1810 Louisiana
Lucretia 10 1840 Texas
Paul P. 6 1846 Texas

residence 100
Francis Gallier (Sr) 50 farmer 1800 Louisiana
Mary 52 1798 Louisiana
Eliza Myers 14 1836 Louisiana
Melissa Ann 6 1844 Louisiana

(Eliza and Melissa Myers, Mary's orphaned granddaughters, children of her daughter Amelia Hayes and Benjamin Myers.)

residence 101
Francis Gallier, Jr. 30 1820 farmer Louisiana
Mary 35 1815 Louisiana
Amelia 9 1841 Louisiana
Adelia 7 1843 Louisiana
Mary E 2 1848 Louisiana
Quinton 1/12 1850 Texas
John Acres 19 1831 Louisiana

residence 102
Robert Burrell 47 1803 farmer Louisiana
Susannah 46 1804 Louisiana
David 15 Texas 1835 Texas
Hester 12 1838 Texas
Frederick 7 1843 Texas




Census:
residence 21
Burris Enos 58 1802 England black smith 400
Burris Anna 52 1808 Louisiana
Burris Paul 14 1846 Texas

residence 22
DeForest John 33 1827 New York sailor 500
DeForest Lucrecia 17 1843 Texas (Court)
DeForest Thomas 2 1858 Texas
DeForest Robert 1 1859 Texas

Census:
Burris Enos 58 1802 England black smith 400
Burris Anna 52 1808 Louisiana
DeForrist John 35 1825 New York sailor 500
DeForrist Lucrecia 17 1843 Texas (Court)
DeForrist Paul F.C. 15 1845 Texas (Court)

Notes:

Married:
Court, Thomas of England (Thomas & Ellen Anesworth) m 19 Aug 1828 Ann Johnson (Opel Ct hse mar # 51)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1830, Jackson Co, Alabama; in father's hh
• Residence: Between 1830 and 1833, Franklin Co, Tennessee
• Residence: Between 1837 and 1838, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana; abt
• Residence: Between 1839 and 1841, Pavell Island, Orange Co, Texas
• Census: 1846, Jefferson Co, Texas; tax list
• Occupation: Between 1846 and 1848, Taylor Bayou Ferry Crossing, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 24 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: Bef 1853, Old River Cove, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Property: 1853, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas; purchased
• Residence: 1854, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas; began home construction
• Residence: 3 Mar 1858, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas; purchased 100 acres
• Census: 5 Jul 1860, Beaumont (Precinct 1), Jefferson Co, Texas; agriculture
• Census: 12 Jul 1860, Sabine Pass (Precinct 5), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 1870, Jefferson Co, Texas; Morality Schedule
• Other-Begin: 22 Mar 1936, Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Jefferson Co, Texas

Notes:

webpage http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lmassia/fam11212.htm
shows born at Gatlenburg, Franklin Co, Tn.


NOTE: (Contact Christine Echels, 8635 Chateau Circle, Bmt 07 about Sparks history)

"History of the Sparks Family," Yellowed pages, Vol XIX, No. 4, 1989

"James, Melinda, William and Julia Ann arrived in Texas in late 1837, having traveled overland by ox wagon. Some of the furniture was transported down the Mississippi River by steamboat. The family first lived on Pavell's Island, which is located at the junction of the Sabine and Neches Rivers. Here John Sparks worked at the Pavell Bros shingle mill, and two other children were born, Thomas in 1839 and Albert in 1841. The family did not live on Pavell's Island very long after Albert's birth."
Taylor's Bayou, established and operated a ferry on what is now the road to Sabine Pass for at least 10 years.
In 1854 purchased a farm a few miles away where Worthy was born.


"The History of the Sparks Family":
Living on the edge of the marshlands of the Gulf Coast has its hazards. Mosquitoes by the millions swarmed up from the bayous and swamps to plague both man and beast. It was not uncommon for the settlers to be housebound until noon, waiting for the clouds of mosquitoes to settle. Disease was a threat to the village. Medical aid was a day's ride by horseback from the remote community. The death of the five Gentz children probably sealed the doom of the Sparks Settlement in the 1880s.

1850 Jeff Co Census: John S. Sparks 39 Farmer val. 50. N.C.
Melinda, 29, TN
Albert 9, TX
Eliza J 7, TX
John F. 4, TX
Sarah C 1, TX
James Court 22, farmer, value 20, LA -
Julia Ann 14, TN
James & Julia newly weds. Date of Census 24 Oct; they were married Oct 15.

Also living with him were William H Smith, 2 years old from Texas; Sarah Lawrey, 14, James Penrod, a laborer from Illinois, and James Dyson, a saddler from Missouri. Recording in Yellowed Pages does now show Melinda.
Moved to Tennessee about 1815; Texas in 1838
Lived in Alabama, Gatlinburg, TN
Several Sparks graves in Cade's Cove TN adjacent to a Methodist Church.

________________
http://sparksfamilytree.net/family_tree/wga84.html#first

SQ 3059:

"John Sparks, probable son of Joseph Sparks, was listed on the 1812 tax list of Franklin County, Tennessee. He was probably named for his uncle, John Sparks. We have no further record of him."


SQ 3356:


"John S. Sparks, probable son of William Sparks, was born on March 26, 1811, in Tennessee. It was probably there that he was married to Malinda Jones about 1834. She was born on March 1, 1819, in Tennessee.Two children were born to John and Malinda before they left Tennessee with their ox team and wagon and moved to the Texas border where the Sabine and Neches Rivers meet on the north shore of Lake Sabine. There John worked in a mill that made cypress shingles by using drawing knives. Later he established a ferry on Taylors Bayou and managed to buy 160 acres of land fronting on Lake Sabine on which he built his home. Here he was joined by his brother, Solomon, and others, and the site became known as "Sparks Settlement." The name was changed to Aurora about 1856, and it finally became the site of the town of Port Arthur in 1895.


"John Sparks was joined by his brother, Solomon Sparks, about 1847,and, according to information given in the HISTORY AND PROGRESS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS by Lorecia East, the two families lived just a few hundred feet from each other. They cultivated the land and raised their own food as well as much of their clothing for they raised sheep and carded and spun their own wool. It was John Sparks who established a family buriel ground quite close to his home. The cemetery filled gradually, and as the surrounding property became more desirable, it became necessary to move the graves. They were moved to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beaumont, Texas.


"John Sparks died sometime between 1860 and 1870. Malinda died sometime after the 1880 census was taken of Jefferson County. She and John were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom we have been able to identify . (Here lists details of children]."
http://www.sparksfamilytree.net/ghtout/npr433.html#H02282


John was buried in Sparks cemetery.

John and Solomon selected the site, a 50 by 50 square which was a short distance from John's home, for their family burial plots. Today a 4' stone monument marks the cemetery site at the junction of DeQueen Blvd and Lakeshore Dr in Port Arthur. A part of the burial ground is now covered with the pavement of DeQueen Blvd. Balance lies under a big hackberry tree which stands just north of the two streets. The site is marked by a beautifully-cut granite headstone identifying the grave of the infant, Arthur Stilwell Smith.

Arthur Stillwell Smith was the son of Mr & Mrs Morgan Smith who had loaded their household effects into a covered wagon and traveled slowly and laboriously to the new town from their home in the Indian Territory. Their son was born in a tentr Lakeshore and Houston Avenue soon after their arrival, and he lived only ten days. He had been named after the new seaport's benefactor, Arthur Stilwell. All of the residents attended the town's first funeral, and the tiny casket was buried in the Old Sparks Cemetery. The marker at this site today was placed here in 1948 by the Port Arthur Teen Canteen members.

___________________
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles11/port-arthur-15.shtml

Old and Sold Chronology, originally published 1940
history of Port Arthur:

1543 July 25. Survivors of the Hernando de Soto expedition are driven ashore near Lake Sabine by a storm.

1745 Spaniards learn that Frenchmen are trading in the section.

1756 - Spanish establish the Presidio San Agustin de Ahumada and the Mission Nuestra Senora de la Luz del Orcoquisac near the mouth of the Trinity River, and tradition says a log building was erected by the mission near the head of the North Fork of what is now Taylor's Bayou.

1778 - Padre Juan Agustin Morfi records English attempts to establish amicable relations with Indians in this neighborhood.

1838 - John Sparks and family arrive in covered wagon from Tennessee.

1861 - Sparks settlement becomes known as Aurora.

1886-87 - Following an epidemic and a storm, Aurora is abandoned, and the land becomes cattle range.

1895 Arthur E. Stilwell visits the area and plans to build his "dream city." Town of Port Arthur is platted. Ship Canal is begun.


Census:
Name:
Wm Sparkes
[Wm Sparks]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama

Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1 1825-1830 Jacob E.
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825 son6
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820 Daniel; Solomon
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815 John S
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1781-1790 1 Wm
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830 dau7
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1 1816-1820 dau4
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815 dau2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 1791-1800 Mrs.
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):10

next door: (Melinda b 1819 or age 11; not here)
Martin (translated Master) Jones,
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:1 1791-1800
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):10
(Martin Jones m Rhoda (Martin) Hodges 10 Jul 1804 Jefferson Co TN)
(Wm Jones m Elizabeth Randolph 25 May 1804 Jefferson Co)

same page:
Chesby R Jones (maybe a bro?)
[Cirby R Jones]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):2

Tho Jone [Thos Jones] (Melinda b 1819 or age 11)
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 2 1771-1780
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
*** COULD BE MELINDA ***
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 9


all names on page 101 in sequence:
Edward Berry; Jas Simmons; Geor W. Wichell; Samuel Reynolds; Barbary Lathas; Pashot Pringle; John Jolly; Wm Compbelle; Wm Davis; Thomas Molson; Wm Gowens; Robt G. Hord; David Gowens; Eliphodd Jarvis; Wm Sparkes; Master Jones; Joseph Resk; Abram Goose; Chesby R. Jones; Martin Gowens; Tho Jone; Joel Kee; Saml Kerk; Mans L. Bumalley; Barnet Cheathan; Wm Campbelle


Residence:
Per memoirs of his daughter Eliza Jane Sparks Beaumont, they briefly lived in Louisiana before purchasing land in Texas. Since brother Jacob was in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana in 1940 census, it's assumed that's where they were in Louisiana. The dates are estimated from the dates between Julia who was born in Tennessee and Thomas who was born in Texas.


Census:
Name: John Sparks
State: TX
County: Jefferson County
Township: No Township Listed
Year: 1846
Record Type: Tax list
Page: NPN
Database: TX Tax List Index, 1840-1849


Occupation:
The most common crossing of Taylor?s Bayou was located at the foot of West 7th Street, Port Arthur, Texas just 200 feet from the back corner of the now Chevron's main office building (formerly Gulf main office building). At this site was a ferry crossing for many years. Jefferson County Commissioners Court authorized a second bridge built to replace the ferry in 1898. This portion of Taylor?s Bayou was filled in about 1912 when a more direct route was dug by Gulf Oil to link their new dock to the Port Arthur Canal. The bridge was moved to its current location on Hwy.87 by 1916.

http://csa.tripod.com/articles.html

Census:
24 Oct 1850 Sabine Pass

residence 215:
Milton H Bloodworth 25 1825 Louisiana farmer
Nancy (Holt) Bloodworth 18 1832 Texas
Benjamin P Bloodworth 2 1848 Louisiana
William Bloodworth 1 1849 Louisiana
Benjamin Holt 55 1795 Mississippi
Thomas C Holt 50 1800 Mississippi
Thomas D Holt 4 1846 Louisiana
William Holt 53 1797 Mississippi
Mary Ann Holt 17 1833 Texas
Thomas R Holt 26 1824 Louisiana
Charles Holt 28 1822 Louisiana
William C Holt 15 1835 Louisiana
Richard Holt 13 1837 Louisiana

Residence 216
Stockholm, Peter D. 31 1819 New York carpenter
Mary 17 1833 Louisiana
William 2 1848 Texas
Elizabeth 0 1850 Texas

Residence 217
Brewer, William 23 1827 Louisiana laborer married in the year
Brewer, Caroline 22 1828 Louisiana

Residence 218
Solomon Sparks 30 1820 Tennessee laborer
Martha C Sparks 30 1829 South Carolina
Lucy Ann Sparks 8 1842 Tennessee
John L Sparks 6 1844 Tennessee
James E Sparks 3 1847 Louisiana
Mary Susan Sparks 1 1849 Texas
Jacob Sparks 22 1828 Tennessee laborer

Residence 219
John S. Sparks 39 1811 North Carolina farmer $150
Melinda Sparks 29 1821 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 9 1841 Texas
Eliza J. Sparks 7 1843 Texas
John F. Sparks 4 1846 Texas
Sarah C. Sparks 1 1849 Texas
James Court 22 1828 Louisiana farmer $20 (married in the year)
Julia Ann (Sparks) Courts 14 1836 Tennessee



Property:
Port Arthur News article (attached)
1853 John Sparks purchased 160 acres of land, including the section around what is now DeQueen boulevard at Lakeshore drive. At the time he paid $375 for the land which is worth more than $150,000 today. (1935)


Residence:
"He was a thrifty man, and by September 12, 1853, he had saved enough money to buy two parcels of land, one of them 130 acres and the other of 30 acres, from Allen and Nancy Franklin.

This land, fronting on Lake Sabine, was part of a 250-acre tract that the Franklins had purchased from Thomas Holt in 1851. Sparks immediately set to work building a house, into which he moved his family in time for the birth of another child. Then, within the week, fire destroyed the new home, and the family returned to Pave11's Island, where friends took them in. But by the autumn of 1854 he had started another house which he completed in the spring, and the family returned."
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles11/port-arthur-4.shtml

The Holts and Franklins were listed in Sabine Pass 1850 census records. This land must have been on the Sabine Pass side of the waterway (Taylor Bayou) rather than the Port Arthur side. However mention is made that his ferry was bout where the Gulf main office building is on West 7th Street in Port Arthur. Would that part of Port Arthur be considered Sabine Pass in the census records?

In 1858 he purchased 100 acres from C.S Hunt on what was known as Old River Cove for $80. That is for sure the Sparks Settlement location.


Residence:
on March 3, 1858, he purchased an additional 100 acres of land from C. S. Hunt, on what was known as Old River Cove, for $80.


Census:
12 Jul 1860 Precinct No. 5 Sabine Pass
residence 378
James Court 30 mail carrier 500 Louisiana
Julia 24 TN 1856 Tennessee
Mary E 8 1852 Texas
Henry C 6 1854 Texas
Julia A 4 1856 Texas
William F 2 1858 Texas
Elias M 6/12 1859 Texas

residence 379
John Sparks 49 1811 North Carolina farmer 320 2100
Malinda Sparks 41 1819 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 19 1841 Texas
John F Sparks 14 1856 Texas
Sarah C Sparks 11 1849 Texas
Arabella H Sparks 8 1852 Texas
James C Sparks 6 1854 Texas
Worthey C Sparks 4 1856 Texas
Henry E L Sparks 8/12 1859 Texas

residence 380
Samuel Lee 38 1822 Denmark stock raiser 4,000
Eliza 16 1844 Texas


Census:
Persons who died during the year ending 1st June 1870 in Jefferson County, Texas

Name: John Sparks
Gender: Male
Race: White
Place of Birth: North Carolina
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1811
Age: 59
Month of Death: Aug
Census Year: 1870
Census Location: (City, County, State)
All, Jefferson, Texas
Line: 7
Archive Collection Number: T1134
farmer, cause of death not known

also:
Court (no first name) 2/30, female white, Texas, Oct.
cause of death: "congestion lun" - scratched thru
Drs. ? (copy darkened at edge of page)

Died:
1870 Ag census taken in Jul and M. Sparks (Melinda) is listed, next after James Court. John is deceased.

Federal Mortality schedule year ending 1 Jun 1870
Sparks, John age 53 born North Carolina, died in October, farmer, cause of death not known.
Note at the bottom of the page states that cause of death for John Sparks "could not be found out, as no physician attended him.

Surname: John Sparks
Year: 1870
County: Jefferson CO.
State: TX
Age: 59
Gender: M (Male)
Month of Death: Aug
State of Birth: NC
ID#: MRT197_312070
Occupation: FARMER

John married Melinda* Jones, (maybe dau?) on 1 Mar 1833 in near Gatlinburg, Franklin Co, Tennessee. Melinda* (daughter of Thomas* Jones, (bro of Martin?) and Mrs. (..)* Jones) was born on 25 Mar 1819 in Middleton, Rhea Co, Tennessee (?) ; died after 1880 in Jefferson Co, Texas; was buried in Sparks Cem, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1819, Middleton, Rhea Co, Tennessee (?); birth
• Census: 1830, Jackson Co, Alabama; in father's hhold (?)
• Residence: 1 Mar 1833, near, Gatlinburg, Franklin Co, Tennessee; married
• Residence: Between 1837 and 1838, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
• Residence: Between 1839 and 1841, Pavell Island, Orange Co, Texas
• Residence: Between 1846 and 1848, Taylor Bayou Ferry Crossing, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 24 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 12 Jul 1860, Sabine Pass (Precinct 5), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 23 Jun 1870, Sparks and River Settlement, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 7 Jun 1880, Jefferson Co (District 41), Texas
• Other-Begin: 22 Mar 1936, Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Research Notes: 16 Mar 2014

Notes:

Date: 98-04-13 10:08:26 EDT
From: jsparks@beamans.com (JAY SPARKS)
To: Wileyz@aol.com (John E Sharp)

Speaking of picture I have also have a picture of Malinda, a picture of James and Worthy togeather.
Also have one of James, Worthy and Joseph Madison (Solomon son) togather. They are the old tipe that has the tin backing. Joe Crindon Echels wife, Christine gave me the pictures back when I visted them a few years back. Joe Crindon was named after his Dad & Grandpa Worthy Cryndon "Word" Sparks. (Note - the spelling was changed) I ask Christine why, she said that his mother was a school teacher and that is should be spelled that away. Lucy May Sparks (Miss Lucy what the children call her) She married Joseph "Joe" Howard Echels 7/7/1909 Beaumont. He got killed on the 7/10/1911 on a motercycle thay hit a wagon (buggy) at night. Said that one of the buggy
tounge went through him. They only had the one child.


1880 census: daughter Arabella states mother born in Tennessee.
Possibly born in Alabama, as per "History of Sparks Family."
Shown in 1850 census as head of household with Albert, Eliza, John and Sarah.

Widowed in 1870 at age 51, she is shown head of household in the 1870 Jefferson County census, Sparks & River Settlement. She recorded her birthplace as Alabama, listed her property at a value of $2,000 and her personl estate as $500. Living with her were her sons James, 17, a farm laborer, and John 27, a laborer, and Worthy, age 14. She was living next door to her daughter, Julia Sparks and Jim Courts on one side and Mrs. Solomon Sparks, Caroline, her daughter-in-law on the other.

1880, Worthy is still living at home, working as a mail carrier, and James has married Ella. They are living with her, too. In this census, she states that she was born in Tennessee rather than Alabama. She lists that her father was born in Virginia and her mother in Tennessee. Also listed is Thomas George, 8 years old, as a servant, born in Texas but whereabouts of his parents' birth was listed as unknown.

Melinda Sparks 61 Mar born TN father VA, mother TN
Worthy 24 Mar mail carrier TX father NC mom TN
James 26 Dec laborer TX
Ella 23 Nov TX

Malinda was buried in Sparks cemetery.

Birth:
Middleton is in Hardeman county; not Rhea.

Census:
Name:
Wm Sparkes
[Wm Sparks]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama

Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1 1825-1830 Jacob E.
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825 son6
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820 Daniel; Solomon
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815 John S
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1781-1790 1 Wm
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830 dau7
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1 1816-1820 dau4
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815 dau2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 1791-1800 Mrs.
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):10

next door: (Melinda b 1819 or age 11; not here)
Martin (translated Master) Jones,
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:1 1791-1800
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):10
(Martin Jones m Rhoda (Martin) Hodges 10 Jul 1804 Jefferson Co TN)
(Wm Jones m Elizabeth Randolph 25 May 1804 Jefferson Co)

same page:
Chesby R Jones (maybe a bro?)
[Cirby R Jones]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):2

Tho Jone [Thos Jones] (Melinda b 1819 or age 11)
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 2 1771-1780
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
*** COULD BE MELINDA ***
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 9


all names on page 101 in sequence:
Edward Berry; Jas Simmons; Geor W. Wichell; Samuel Reynolds; Barbary Lathas; Pashot Pringle; John Jolly; Wm Compbelle; Wm Davis; Thomas Molson; Wm Gowens; Robt G. Hord; David Gowens; Eliphodd Jarvis; Wm Sparkes; Master Jones; Joseph Resk; Abram Goose; Chesby R. Jones; Martin Gowens; Tho Jone; Joel Kee; Saml Kerk; Mans L. Bumalley; Barnet Cheathan; Wm Campbelle


Census:
24 Oct 1850 Sabine Pass

residence 215:
Milton H Bloodworth 25 1825 Louisiana
Nancy (Holt) Bloodworth 18 1832 Texas
Benjamin P Bloodworth 2 1848 Louisiana
William Bloodworth 1 1849 Louisiana
Benjamin Holt 55 1795 Mississippi
Thomas C Holt 50 1800 Mississippi
Thomas D Holt 4 1846 Louisiana
William Holt 53 1797 Mississippi
Mary Ann Holt 17 1833 Texas
Thomas R Holt 26 1824 Louisiana
Charles Holt 28 1822 Louisiana
William C Holt 15 1835 Louisiana
Richard Holt 13 1837 Louisiana

Residence 216
Stockholm, Peter D. 31 1819 New York carpenter
Mary 17 1833 Louisiana
William 2 1848 Texas
Elizabeth 0 1850 Texas

Residence 217
Brewer, William 23 1827 Louisiana
Brewer, Caroline 22 1828 Louisiana

Residence 218
Solomon Sparks 30 1820 Tennessee
Martha C Sparks 30 1829 South Carolina
Lucy Ann Sparks 8 1842 Tennessee
John L Sparks 6 1844 Tennessee
James E Sparks 3 1847 Louisiana
Mary Susan Sparks 1 1849 Texas
Jacob Sparks 22 1828 Tennessee

Residence 219
John S. Sparks 39 1811 North Carolina
Melinda Sparks 29 1821 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 9 1841 Texas
Eliza J. Sparks 7 1843 Texas
John F. Sparks 4 1846 Texas
Sarah C. Sparks 1 1849 Texas
James Court 22 1828 Louisiana
Julia Ann (Sparks) Courts 14 1836 Tennessee



Census:
12 Jul 1860 Precinct No. 5 Sabine Pass
residence 378
James Court 30 mail carrier 500 Louisiana
Julia 24 TN 1856 Tennessee
Mary E 8 1852 Texas
Henry C 6 1854 Texas
Julia A 4 1856 Texas
William F 2 1858 Texas
Elias M 6/12 1859 Texas

residence 379
John Sparks 49 1811 North Carolina farmer 320 2100
Malinda Sparks 41 1819 Tennessee
Albert Sparks 19 1841 Texas
John F Sparks 14 1856 Texas
Sarah C Sparks 11 1849 Texas
Arabella H Sparks 8 1852 Texas
James C Sparks 6 1854 Texas
Worthey C Sparks 4 1856 Texas
Henry E L Sparks 8/12 1859 Texas

residence 380
Samuel Lee 38 1822 Denmark stock raiser 4,000
Eliza 16 1844 Texas


Census:
77 Coats (Courts) J.M. 40 1830 Louisiana 400, 2,000 farmer
Julia 34 1836 Tennessee
Mary 18 1852 Texas
Clifton 16 1854 Texas
Nasthentha 14 1856 Texas
William 12 1858 Texas
Madison E. 10 1860 Texas
ekner 8 1862 Texas
James 5 1865 Texas
Anna 3 1867 Texas
Lisa 8 1862 Texas

residence 78
Sparks M (Melinda) 51 1819 at home Tennessee
James 17 1853 Texas farm laborer
Worthy 14 1856 Texas
John 27 1843 Texas farmer

residence 79
Spark, C (Caroline) 50 1820 South Carolina keeping house
Edwin 23 1847 Louisiana
Joseph 16 1854 Texas
Oscar 14 Texas
Courts J.B. 27 1843 Texas

residence 80
Brewton W.P. 33 1837 Tennessee
Sarah 22 1848 Texas
Grace 5 1865 TX
Silas F. 8/12 1869 TX

residence 81
Lee, Samuel 52 1818 farmer 1580 Denmark
Jane E. 27 1843 Texas
Emma 3 1867 Texas


residence 82
Smith. T.J. 34 farmer 500 Indiana
Sarah 25 Texas
Electra 3/12 Texas








Census:
Note: It appears the first page is the Sparks Settlement. And the 2nd page seems to be the Port Neches, Grisgsby Bluff area, a few miles north.

7 Jun 1880 District 41 Justice Precinct No. 2
Page 1

residence 1
Gentz Fred 35 Dec 1845 laborer Prussia Prussia Prussia
R. Belle 28 Aug 1852 TX NC TN
Welby 8 Jun 1872 TX NC TX
H.M. 7 Feb 1873 TX NC TX
M.J. dau 6 1874 TX
J.W. son 4 1876 TX
Buler 2 dau May 1878 TX
J. Lee 4/12 son Jan 1880 TX
Charlotte 77 mother widow Prussia NC TX
(census taker just carried the NC down the columns.
Only person from NC is Belle's father.

residence 2
Lee, Samuel 62 farmer Denmark Denmark Denmark
E. Jane 36 Oct TX NC TN
Emma A. 12 Jul 1868 TX
Hayes, Eliza Black 19 Jan 1861 servant Texas Texas Alabama
Eddy, Albert 37 Jul 1843 carpenter Ireland Ireland Ireland
Sparks, William E. 27 Mar 1853 TX

residence 3
Melinda Sparks 61 Mar 1819 TN VA TN <<<
Worthy 24 Mar 1856 TX NC TN
James 26 son Dec 1854 TX NC TN
Ella 23 Nov 1857 dau-in-law TX TN PA
Thomas George, Black 8 1872 servant TX

residence 4
Sparks, Caroline 60 May 1820 self widow SC VA SC
Sparks, J.M. 26 Aug 1854 son TX

residence 5
Kilgore, James S 28 1852 Mar Michigan Michigan Michigan
Elizabeth 50 Oct 1830 mother wid Michigan Michigan --
Columbus 28 25 May 1855 brother Texas Michigan Michigan
Susan F. 20 Feb 1860 sister Texas Michigan Michigan
Eugenia 17 Jun 1863 sister Texas Michigan Michigan
Swift, Fuller 3 May 1877 nephew Texas Michigan Michigan
Swift, Ida 3/12 Feb 1880 niece Texas Michigan Michigan

residence 6
Brewton, W.P. 47 Aug 1833
Sarah C. (Sparks) 30 Dec 1850
Grace 15 Feb 1865 TX
Silas F. 10 Oct 1870 TX
Esther 8 Dec 1872 TX
Almond 6 Apr 1874 TX
Inas 3 dau Aug 1877 TX
John Smith 14 June 1866 TX TN PA

residence 7
Gray, H.L. 33 head Sep 1847 Michigan VA MI
Gray, S.E. 33 wife Aug 1847 LA PA Indiana
Carey, Coy 11 son May 1873 TX Indiana Louisiana
Clara 7 dau Mar 1873 TX Indiana Louisiana
Gray H.E. son 9 Sep 1871 TX MI TX
Smith, T.F. 21 Apr 1859 TX TN PA
Courts, E.M. 20 1860 TX unk TX
___________
page 2
8 Jun 1880

residence 8
Yantz (Gentz), Wm Apr 42 1838 farmer Prussia Prussia Prussia
Susan 31 Jan 1849 wife TX GA LA
Leuvinia 12 Jan 1868 dau
William Y. 10 Jan 1870 son
H.L. 6 mos Nov 1879 son

residence 9
J. T. Rogers 28 Aug 1852 TX TN TX
Izzie J. Rogers 27 Aug 1853 TX NY LA
C. O. Rogers 3 Dec 1877
Wm. A. Rogers 1 Sep 1879
Levina Keith 68 Feb 1812 mother-in-law tx ga tn

residence 10
Keith, O 39 Feb 1841 Self TX OH LA
Margaret 39 Jun 1841 TX TN TN
George 7 Jun 1873 son LA TX TN
William O. 5 Mar 1875 son
Berry, Lethean female 11 Jan 1869 servant TX Prussia Prussia


Research Notes:
1830 Jackson Co Alabama (west of the H. Range Line

a Weathy (Wesley) Jones; 50-59 (1771-1780) (one of children named Wesley; but Melinda b 1819 is not in this household)
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 2 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 7

Chesby (Cirby R.) R. Jones (same page 101 as Wm Sparks in 1830 Jackson Co AL - James still at home) (maybe Melinda's bro?)
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):2

next door to Wm Sparks, where John Sparks, Melinda's future husband was living) (Melinda b 1819 or age 11; not here)
Martin (translated Master) Jones,
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:1 1791-1800
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):10

same page:
Chesby R Jones (maybe a bro?)
[Cirby R Jones]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 1801-1810
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):2

Tho Jone [Thos Jones] (Melinda b 1819 or age 11)
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):
Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 2 1771-1780
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2 1821-1825
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820
*** COULD BE MELINDA ***
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 9