Emmett Marion Courts

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 12 Jun 1880, Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 30 Jun 1900, Beaumont (Precinct 1), 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
• Census: 1920, Orange Co, Texas

Notes:

1880: Emmet, age 3
1900 Jeff Co - age 23 living in Household of Thomas Smith & Mary, born July 1877; shown as Single -- bro-in-law
1910 Jeff Co - age 34, single, liv w/ bro Matt, next door to Thomas Smith & Mary

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.)


Census:
30 June 1900
Beaumont, Precinct 1, Jefferson Co, Texas
Residence 103
Smith, Thomas head Apr 1869 39 Texas Texas Pennsylvania farmer (yrs married illeg, script. 29 is scratched out on her line)
Mary E. wife Sep 1851 48 7 births 6 living, Texas Louisiana Tennessee
Nonie daughter Nov 1874 26 m 2 yrs, 1 birth 1 living Texas Texas Texas
Anie Wills dau Apr 1879 21 married Texas Texas Texas
Brewer, Emma dau Nov 1880 20 single Texas Texas Texas
Brewer, Bele dau Apr 1883 17 Texas
Smith, Jim son Dec 1887 13 Texas Texas Texas
Smith, Vivian dau Dec 1893 7 Texas
Wallas, Ruby granddau Dec 1899 1
Wallas Frank son-in-law Feby 1869 31 married New York New York farm Scotland carpenter
Wills, John son-in-law Feby 1877 23 married Texas Texas Texas farm laborer
Court, Emmett b-law Feby 1877 23 single Texas Texas Texas farm laborer

res 104
Will, Mary E. head Dec 1867 39 wd m 24 yrs 8 births 7 living Texas New York, Louisiana
Ada dau Sep 1881 19 Texas Texas Texas home cook
George son Mar 1884 16 Texas at school can read/write
Lewis son Jul 1887 13 Texas at school cannot read/write
Frederick son Mar 1889 11 Texas at school cannot read/write
Coy son Mar 1894 6 Texas
Keith, Lavina, grandmother Jul 1812 88 widow Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana cannot read/write


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

Died:
D.C. informant, S.H. Courts of Groves, his brother.
b.d. provided was 11 Jan 1878.
died of tuberculosis. 6 Jan 1936
S.H. provided the birthplace of their father as Galveston, rather than Louisiana, and Port Arthur for their mother, Julia Sparks, which would be correct.

Name: Emmett Marion Courts
Death Date: 04 Jan 1936
Death Place: Port Neches, Jefferson, Texas
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 59 years 11 months 15 days
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 11 Jan 1878
Birthplace: Beaumont, Texas
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name: Verna Courts
Father's Name: J.M. Courts
Father's Birthplace: Galveston, Texas
Mother's Name: Julia Sparks
Mother's Birthplace: Port Arthur, Texas
Occupation: Laborer
Place of Residence: Port Neches, Texas
Cemetery: Beaumont Forest
Burial Place:
Burial Date: 06 Jan 1936
Additional Relatives: X
Film Number: 2116782
Digital Film Number: 4143542
Image Number: 2881
Reference Number: rn 3482

Emmett married Verna Marti Lane, Mrs. on 11 Nov 1912 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas. Verna was born in 1893 in Texas; died after 1936 in of, Jefferson Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emmett married Mattie Royce on 3 May 1911 in Orange Co, Texas. Mattie was born about 1885; died after 1911. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Groom's Name: Emmett Courts
Groom's Birth Date:
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: Mattie Royce
Bride's Birth Date:
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 03 May 1911
Marriage Place: Orange County, Texas
Groom's Father's Name:
Groom's Mother's Name:
Bride's Father's Name:
Bride's Mother's Name:
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M59162-1
System Origin: Texas-EASy
Source Film Number: 1021147
Reference Number: Volume 5 Page 341

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:

• 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

Other Events and Attributes:

• Research Notes: 15 Jun 2013; FFDNA match

Notes:

other Courts not ID'd.

1830 Natchitoches, Louisiana, p 89 No Twp listed
James Courts (could not find on reel)

Courts found in 1840 Louisiana- Terrebonne Parish:
D Court (20-30) 1810-1820
female (20-30) 1810-1820
2 males ( < 5) 1835-1840
3 females (<5) 1835-1840

T. Le Court (30-40) 1800-1810 (not Thomas, he was in Texas)
female (30-40) 1800-1810
1 male (< 5) 1835-1840
1 female (< 5) 1835-1840
2 females (5-10) 1830-1835

Court, Martin m Marie Richard In death record of Marie Richard dated 1821 (SM Ch v 4, #1547)
Richard, Marie m Martin Court, d Jun 1821 at age 60 yrs (SM Ch v 4 # 1457)

NOTE: Who is this Martin Court? Must have been born abt 1760, putting him in age range of Thomas' grandfather. Records from St. Mary the Virgin church in Blackburn did not record a Martin. but the name and place make it seem reasonable he is of some relation.

There is a Martin C Court, son of Thomas Jefferson Court, in Fannin Co, TX 1920 and 1930 Childress; but no apparent relation other than the name.


Christened:
Baptism: 1 Aug 1784 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancs.
Thos Court - Son of James Court & Nancy
Born: 7 Jul
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1773 - 1791, Page 70, Entry 37
Source: LDS Film 1278778

Research Notes:
Name Peter Francis Ward
E-mail peterfward@yahoo.com
Haplogroups
Y-DNA I1 Shorthand I-M253
mtDNA V1a1

matched 6/7/2013
4th cousin remote
shared cM 29.94
longest block 13.29
(no surnames given, only gedcom)

GEDCOM for Peter Francis Ward
https://my.familytreedna.com/gedcom-viewer.aspx?gedType=paternal&kn=7hgJ0h7v6vI%3d

names like Ward, Hindle, Ductworth, Cook, Sharples, Whalley and others all from Blackburn and/or surrounding areas of Lancashire England are represented. Some of these names are showing up as connections to the Court family, even as our directs; reassuring that our Courts are descended from the Blackburn Courts.

Thomas* married Ellen* Ainesworth about 1799 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. Ellen* (daughter of John* Ainsworth and Ellen* Ainsworth) was born before 5 Apr 1782 in St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire, England; was christened on 5 Apr 1782 in St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire, England; died in 1841 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Edmond Speer - Jul 19, 2001
I just found a web site FAMILY SEARCH .ORG.
in it I found a marriage date of an Ellen Anesworth to a Thomas Court in 1802 in England. But it did not give a town. There were quite a few Thomas Courts listed there between 1790 and 1810
______________


Christened:
Baptism: 5 Apr 1782 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancs.
Ellen Ainsworth - [Child] of John Ainsworth & Ellen
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1773 - 1791, Page 49, Entry 30
Source: LDS Film 1278778

another Ellen, near same age:
Baptism: 14 May 1780 St Mary, Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Ellen Ainsworth - Daughter of James Ainsworth & Jane
Abode: Pleasington
Register: Baptisms 1773 - 1791, P 39, No 55
Source: Film 1278778


Died:
death: COURT, Ellen 1841 March Blackburn Lancashire
Vol 21 Pg 1
COURT, Ellen
Record Type: Deaths
Quarter: March
Year: 1841
District: Blackburn
County: Lancashire
Volume: 21
Page: 1

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1790, Cheraws Dist, St. Thomas Co, South Carolina
• Residence: 1791, Natchez, Mississippi
• Residence: 1794, Natchez, Mississippi
• Residence: 20 Sep 1796, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; wit sis-in-law marriage
• Residence: 07 Aug 1803, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; 1st 5 kids bt
• Census: 1820, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

Notes:

Pure speculation and guess that Moses could be son to Joseph and brother Henry Issac.

Debbie has in her tree that he might be son of Burrell Johnson, 1755-Dec 1823 Edgefield, South Carolina and Marie Joesphe Lord, 1755 KY - 15 Jun 1785 St. Jacques, Quebec, Canada, and suggests he had a brother Francis 1777-1798.

"Jesse" came from a guess that the abstractor made of the name of Ann's father at the time of her marriage to Thomas Court in the St. Landry marriage license #51. The notation shows _ _ _ e & Nancy Roberts with "Jesse" filled in above the dashes.

Wit: Robert, Susanne (Benjamin & Elizabeth Cole) m 20 Sept 1796 Jacob Welsh. Also Wit John Moore, Andrew Walsh, Robins.

On August 7, 1803, they had all their children (first four born at this time) baptized at the same time.

1810 Rapides Par Census:
Moses Johnston - listed 45+
1 male, 2 female under 10 - Amand, Eliz, John
2 males, 1 female 10-16 - Ben, Abraham, Marie
1 male 16-26 - Solomon Green
1 male 45+ Moses
1 female 26-45 Nancy

also listed in Rapides:
William Johnston 00012-00100-00
Josiah S. Johnston 01300-00000-15

According to the 1820, St.Landry, census, there were residents counted that do not show up later. They were two boys under 10 yrs old; three men age 26-45; one girl age 10 to 16; and two girls ages 16-26.

from Carole: That is not the census data that I have. He was somewhere in St. Landry Parish when I found it... the data included 7 children!! The 1820 census
reads as follows:

301321 422000 5

1830 Louisiana: No listing for Moses Johnson

Found on GenWeb Pennsylvania that a John Roberts and John Lyons emigrated from Cork, Ireland on the brig "Freemason" entering America on 27 Dec. 1764. Possible connection??
______________
Dianne Peoples: As far as your question about Moses and James L. being brothers. Iv'e never heard this info before. In Gen Erbon Wise's book, Wise Footsteps from England and Ireland, p.57, he thinks that Moses and Francis Johnson were the sons of Burrell Johnson. Burrell was b.c1755,
SC. I will warn you that some don't hold this book in high regard.

LV Hayes: Her opinion of Wise's book is certainly on the money. It contains errors and scrambled data on many families. I understand that a revision is to be published some time this year, but I haven't picked up word of Wise checking with anybody, so I don't know if it's going to be any better.

DP: Houston Tracy Jr. tells me that he thinks Moses traveled with Rev Joseph Willis from SC to Natchz District c1794.

LVH: Yeah, there's a tale going around that Willis led like Moses a whole caravan of families from SC (some versions have NC) to LA. I don't buy it. The Pevoto book mentions documents that may locate Moses in the Natchez area in 1794. There's much uncertain about this family, but the eldest daughter, Isabelle, was baptized at Opelousas in 1803, so Moses got to St Landry Parish by then. He's not on the 1810 census, however.

DP: The 1860 Rapides Parish Census states that Moses' son, John L. was born c1802 KY. He was, however, baptized in St. Landry Parish, LA in 1803. It seems that the more you know, the more confused you get.

LVH: John L. also appears to be on the 1826 Atascosita census where his birth place is also identified as KY.
_______________
Date: 8/30/98 10:42:40 PM Central Daylight Time
From: smjtree@sprynet.com (Steve Johnson/Michelle Johnson)
To: Lumoto@aol.com

The Acadian Johnson/Jeansonne Family Assoc will be hosting a world wide family reunion in Marksville, la. next August, 1999 as part of the CMA-Louisiana 1999 Acadian Families Reuion. If your Jeansonne family came from Opelousas then you are a member of this Acadian family since our family started in Opelousas after coming here from Acadia in the 1760"s. For more info on the assoc please reply and info will be sent to you....Steven johnson Eunice, la.
_____________
Date: 9/1/98 10:09:51 PM Central Daylight Time
From: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net (T.J. Jeansonne)
Reply-to: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net
To: Lumoto@AOL.COM

Sherry,
I have researched the information that you supplied on your Johnson lineage.
Everything that I was able to come up with agreed with the data that you supplied, but I was unable to tie you in to the JEANSONNE branch. I did locate a Moise Johnson (born 1755). He was the son of Jean-Baptiste (Joseph) Johnson, Sr. and Marie-Josephe Laure. No record of place of
birth, but he was probably born in Canada. I don't know if this is the same Moses "Jesse" Johnson that you referred to.
You should probably check with a cousin of mine who has done a lot of research on the Johnson/Jeansonne family. In fact he has a book out titled GENEALOGY OF THE JOHNSON AND RELATED FAMILIES . His name is Floyd E. Johnson Sr. and his address is:
1302 Estelle St., Hattiesburg, MS 39402-2719. Phone (601) 258-3300.
If Floyd can tie you in to our JEANSONNE/JOHNSON lineage, please let me know so I can include you and your family in our database for future reference.
Hope this has been some help. If I can be of further assistance, let me know..
Tom Jeansonne
Opelousas, LA

_____________
Reply-to: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net
To: Lumoto@AOL.COM

Sherry -
The following is the url for the JEANSONNE/JOHNSON website:
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/5075/index.html

The Webmaster (Kathryn Coombs) informs me that she is in the process of finding a new "home" for it, therefore a lot of the links which you click on will give you an ERROR 404 NOT FOUND. She assures me that she is working on getting the site up and running real soon.
Tom
_________________
>>Yeah, there's a tale going around that Willis led like Moses a whole caravan of families from SC (some versions have NC) to LA.
>
>Y'all are way up on me here. Haven't seen the books and don't know who Willis is.

An interesting character. Born the son of a white plantation owner and an indian slave in Robeson Co, NC, he became the first protestant minister and founded the first protestant church west of the Mississippi or at least
that's how the tale goes. He did help found a number of churches in southwestern LA, including the Big Woods church near Edgerly, LA in 1827.
But he also owned slaves, married at least 4 wives, and sired 19 known children.

>>John L. also appears to be on the 1826 Atascosita census where his birth place is also identified as KY.
> Well, he was baptized at 1 yr old; so Moses was in KY in 1802. What is confusing here? What am I missing?

The documentation which indicates that Moses and Nancy Roberts both may have been in the Natchez area circa 1794, not yet married to one another. Of course, they could have made a trip up river to KY. As I said before,
the documentation is spotty and somewhat conflicting.
----
LV: Do you have access at your library to McBee's _Natchez Court Records, Vol.
II_? If so, check pages 245-6 from Book F. This source is identified in Laura Dingle Ewing's Peveto book, which would be another good source for you if you can also find it in the library. It's long out of print.

Laura quotes passages from McBee which reveal in effect that a Moses Johnson was living with a Mrs. John Green, whose husband had left the country for parts unknown. These records, which may date to 1794, relate to a squabble between Moses and a Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, whose husband, Jonathan had enlisted in the military and not come back. Mrs. Green had invited Mrs. Roberts to stay with her while ole Moses was gone to New Orleans, and when he returned, Moses charged Elizabeth for bed and board
and confiscated her goodies until she payed. This led to the court action.
Also mentioned is that John Green had given Moses a note for a debt of $67 dated Jul 1791, so that would place Moses in the Natchez area at least as early as that date.

Laura was focussed on finding a Roberts, so she thought mistakenly that Elizabeth may have been Moses's Nancy Roberts, but in light of what you have learned of the Anna who married John Green, it was just the opposite.
More likely, he married the same Mrs. Green he was with circa 1794 or just lived with her because she would not have been able to get a divorce with her husband's status unknown due to his departure.

NATCHEZ 1794: PART ONE, the abstract

FROM The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805: Abstracts of Early Records by May Wilson McBee La. 929.1 McBee

Page 270 Book F
(Court proceedings: March 15, 1794 - Daniel Clark)
Page 245: Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts made oath that her husband, Jonathan Roberts, was settled on Mr. Mather's plantation at Bayou Sara by agreement but about six weeks ago her husband abandoned her and enlisted as a soldier and left her big with child and she has two young children by her former husband, Henry Grant, but she has some little property when she married Jonathan Roberts but he has none. Some time before Roberts left her she was invited by Mrs. Green who lived with Moses Johnson to go and stay with her for awhile and she did, with Roberts consent. Johnson was then gone to Orleans with the volunteers [She detailed the work that she did and the supplies she furnished while at the house of Moses Johnson during two months and a few days she stayed as well as listing her belongings she had taken there from the Mather plantation.] When Moses Johnson returned he exacted a note for $40 from her for board for herself and two children and is claiming her possessions in payment [Affidavit of Moses Johnson who denies Mrs. Roberts story; she was not invited to his house, etc.}

Page 246: I enclose two depositions, Mrs. Roberts and Moses Johnson. I have ordered that her property be restored to her and she has given security that she shall not part with any of it until I receive Your Excellency's answer. I think the man has overcharged her. Moses Johnson also holds a note of John Green for $67 due ever since July 1791. This Green has left the country some time past and has a tract of land here and his wife who lives with Johnson. Johnson's suit is to have the land sold to pay the debt. Mrs. Roberts has a very worthless husband. Devall married them before the proclamation. Devall married them before the proclamation. She is very poor and has two children and now big with child. Etc.

Page 247: If Roberts has any pay due him, etc. Signed Francis Poussett, March 11, 1794

PART II FOLLOWS ? ONE OF THE ACTUAL DEPOSITIONS.

Tragically the only letter missing in the index to the abstracts is ?G?

Carole

Found in State Census N.C. 1784-1787 - significance not known.
Moses Johnson
List of Inhabitants of Johnston Co, for yer 1787. Recd'd Mar 16, 1787.
List of number of inhabitants of Capt John Bryan of Every Sect & Condition
Moses Johnson -- 1 white male, 21-60 years
2 white male under 21 - over 60
5 white female - all ages
and
Capt William Talton Co, pg 3:
Moses Johnson 1 white male, 21-60 years
2 white male under 21 - over 60
4 white female - all ages


Census:
1790 Cheraws District, St. Thomas Co, South Carolina
page 14
Moses Johnson 1 1 1

unk who these people are
same page Judith Johnson - - 1

page 13
William Johnson 2 0 1


Residence:
Moses was witness to marriage of Susanne Robert & Jacob Welsh. 20 Sep 1796. Susanne sis of Nancy Anna; so his sis-in-law.
Robert Susanne - Presbyterian (Benajmin & Elizabeth Colle - Presbyterians) m 20 Sept 1796 Jacob Welsh - Presbyterians, of Maryland in the United States (Peter & Catherine Opaver (Huppert). Wits: Andrew Walsh(?), Moses Johnston, John Moore, Robin. Fr. Pedro de Zamora (Opel Ch.: v 1-A, p 69)

Census:
7 Aug 1820 St. Landry Parish
page 2
Name: Moses Johnson
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): St Landry, Louisiana
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820


Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 3 1810-1820
Benjamin but died prob bef 1820 ?, ?, ?
one of these might be Joachim b 1816, son of Abraham

Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1 (1802-1804)
John 1802

Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 3 (1795-1804)
Abraham, 1799 but had son by 1816 ?, ?


Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 2 1776-1794
?

Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1 bef (1775
Moses bef 1765

Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 4 (1810-1820)
Ann, Amanda or Rhoda or both?, ?, ?, ?

Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2 (1805-1810)
Amanda or Rhoda or both?

Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 2 (1795-1804)
Elizabeth 1795 and maybe Abraham's wife?

Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 5
Free White Persons - Under 16: 9
Free White Persons - Over 25: 3
Total Free White Persons: 17
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 17

no wife
Marie married abt 1812 and in her own census
Abraham married abt 1815

other Johnsons in 1820 Opel

James Johnson - same page 2:
alone: foreigner not naturalized age 16-25 (1795-1804)
-------
also
pg 3
Edmund >45


pg 6
Susannah >45;
5 kids: 2f 1m <10; 1m 1f 10-15
(same page John Arrington)
Pg 7
Isaac, David (next to each other)

Gideon, same pg 7
26-44 (1776-1794)

pg 16
John 2m 16-25; 1f 16-25 (1795-1804)

same pg, several familiar names, inc James Foreman Jr. and Thomas Hayes; Bosman Hays

(Thomas Hayes s/o Bosman Hayes & Jane Forman; James Forman Jr., Solomon Green

Sarah Forman, sister to Jane, m Isaac Johnson

-----------
John pg 17
same pg Jacob Harmon Sr.; Benjamin Andrus;
William Perry,
Asa Forman, Isaac Forman, Ephraim Forman Joseph Forman
Francis Hoffpauir, John Lyons sr -- and more - all adjac
Jonathan Foreman

Moses** married Nancy** Anna Robert about 1794. Nancy** (daughter of Benjamin* Robert, (immigrant) and Elizabeth* Cole) was born about 1770 in Natchez District, Mississippi; died after 1815 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1794, Natchez, Mississippi

Notes:

1810 Rapides Par Census - age 26-45. If had first child at 17 and last child at 42 - b 1773.

Robert, Nancy (Benjamin & Isabelle Robert) m 16 Sep 1787 John Green of Virginia (Thomas & Anne Green) Wits: James Young, John Dunmore, Ebrent(?) Robins. Fr. Joseph de Arazena (Opel Ch. v.1-A, p 9)

Robert, Anna m John Green (Opel. Ch)
Robert, Anna m Moses Jansonne
Jeansonne, Moses m Anna Robert (Opel. Ch)

Natchez court records show that Moses and Nancy were living in the same household in 1794, but she is still referred to as John Green's wife.

Birth:
daughter Marie is the only child who lived long enough to be entered in the 1880 census where birthplace of parents are recorded. She stated her mother born in Mississippi.

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:

• Census: 1830, Jackson Co, Alabama
• Census: 1840, Jackson Co, Alabama

Notes:

Melinda Sparks, 1880 census, states father born in Virginia.

Birth:
born in Virginia per Melinda in 1880 census.

Census:
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

(NOTE: usual naming pattern: 1st son after father's father.
next son named after mother's father. Melinda's 1st son named after John's father; next son named Thomas.)

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:
1840 Jackson Co, Alabama
Name: Thos Jones pg 113
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Jackson, Alabama
Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1 1771-1780
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 1821-1825
Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 2

If same Thos Jones as Tho Jone (Thos Jones) in 1830,
wife had died. He had 2 daughters b 1821-1825, one still
left at home. Everyone else had gone.
from 1830:
Males - 15 thru 19: 1 1811-1815 prob gone.
Males - 50 thru 59: 2 1771-1780
Thos and probably a brother or bro-in-law
females - Under 5: 1 1825-1830 age in 1840 10-15; married early or fostered out or died?
females - 5 thru 9: 2 1821-1825 one dau still home in 1840,
other prob married
females - 10 thru 14: 2 1816-1820 other dau prob married
*** COULD BE MELINDA - b 1819 or age 11 ***
Melinda married but in TN. If dau of Thos and this is same Thos still in Alabama, how did she get to TN?
females - 40 thru 49: 1 1781-1790 (Mrs. - prob deceased)


other Jones in 1840 Jackson Co
pg 95 Smith Jones age 1781-1790 (not adjacent)
pg 95 Thomas Jones age 1801-1810 (not adjacent, s/o Wesley)
pg 95 William H. Jones age 1801-1810 (not adjacent)
pg 141 Jacob Jones age 1791-1800
pg 123 William Jones (next to Plunett) age 1781-1790
pg 123 Plunett Jones (next to Wm) age 1791-1800
pg 119 Henry Jones age 1791-1800
pg 31 William B. Jones age 1811-1820
pg 41 Albert Jones age 1811-1820
pg 53 Albert C. Jones age 1811-1820
pg 53 Charles Jones (next to Albert C) age 1811-1820
pg 117 Andrew Jones age 1771-1780
pg 48 William Jones age 1801-1810
pg 49 William R. Jones age 1809-1820
pg 125 Wesley Jones age 1801-1810
pg 17 Larken Jones age 1801-1810
pg 145 Moses Jones age 1801-1810
pg 51 Robert Jones age 1781-1790 (adj to Armstead)
pg 51 Armstead Jones age 1801-1810 (adj to Robert)
pg 51 B.J. Jones (not adj to Armstead, Robert) age 1771-1780
pg 139 Benjamin Jones age 1811-1820
pg 113 Thomas Jones age 1771-1780 * ( prob )
pg 143 Briten Jones (next to David) age 1781-1790
pg 143 David Jones (next to Briten) age 1781-1790
(John Gammon same pg 143)
pg 129 David Jones (not adj to John) age 1801-1810
pg 129 John Jones (not adj to David) age 1781-1790
pg 121 Catherine Jones age 1801-1810
pg 135 Elijah Jones (not adj to Felix) age 1801-1810
pg 135 Felix Jones (not adj to Elijah) age 1791-1800
pg 107 Elizabeth Jones age 1801-1810
pg 91 J.H. Jones age 1811-1820
pg 25 James Jones age 1811-1820
(Story, Brown, Sanders same pg 25)
pg 73 John O. Jones age 1781-1790
pg 7 Robert Jones age 1791-1800

Thomas* married Mrs. (..)* Jones about 1818. (..)* was born between 1781 and 1790 in Tennessee; died after 1830 in of, Jackson Co, Alabama. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Melinda Sparks, 1880 census, states mother born in Tennessee.