Julia* Ann Sparks b. 13 Oct 1836 Franklin Co, Tennessee d. 25 Jan 1925 Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas: Our Family History

1836 - 1925 (88 years)

Name	Julia* Ann Sparks
Birth	13 Oct 1836	Franklin Co, Tennessee [1]
Gender	Female
Census	24 Oct 1850	Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
	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
		1850 Texas, Jefferson County, Sabine Pass, Census pg 249 John Sparks and Melinda Jones Sparks, James Court and Julia Ann Sparks Court, Solomon Sparks and family, and Brewer, Stockholm, Holt, Bludworth families.
Census	12 Jul 1860	Sabine Pass (Precinct 5), Jefferson Co, Texas
	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
		1860 Texas, Jefferson County, Sabine Pass census James and Julia Sparks Court family; John and Melinda Jones Sparks family; and Samuel and Eliza Sparks Lee.
Census	23 Jun 1870	Sparks and River Settlement, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	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
		1870, Texas, Jefferson County, Sparks Settlement census
Census	12 Jun 1880	Beaumont (District 40), Jefferson Co, Texas
	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.)
		1880 Texas, Jefferson County, Beaumont (District 40) Census Courts, James Madison and Julia Sparks Courts, and Helmer, James, Annie, Lillian, Fannie, Emmett, Viola, also Clifton Courts and family and William Courts and family.
Residence	1904	1 blk w of 747 South Grand Ave, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	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)
		1904 Texas, Beaumont, Jefferson County, City Directory Court, Edgar; Court, Emmett; Court, Homer; Court, H. Clifton; Court, James F.; Court, Julia A (wid James); Court, S. Helmer and 5 children, Bea,Hal, Effie, Gladys, and Lillian, a baby.
Census	23 May 1910	Beaumont (Precinct 6), Jefferson Co, Texas
	(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
		1910 - Texas, Jefferson County, Beaumont, Precinct 6 census Julia Sparks Courts, living with daughter Mary E and husband Thomas Smith, also Matt Courts and family next door. Residence "near McFaddin"
Residence	Between 1913 and 1925	1598 Cartright, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Residence	D.C.
Death	25 Jan 1925	Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	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?
		Court, Julia Sparks death certificate
		Sparks, Julia Ann Court death certificate
Burial	26 Jan 1925	McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	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
		McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead Grave 4 COURTS, Madison Elias Madison "Matt" - s/o James & Julia m Sallie Gibson SMITH, Irving (or Ivy) son of Lillian Courts Smith SMITH, Lillian Courts d/o James & Julia - m Mr. Smith, prob Irving COURTS, James F. s/o James & Julia, died 1910 - m Matilda Gibson COURTS, Julia A. (our Julia) COURTS, James M. (our James) COURTS, Sarah A. - might be d/o Thomas and Ann, m Lewis King COURTS, Beulah - unknown COURTS, Brad - likely James Bradley s/o Elias "Matt - m Sallie Gibson, m Maggie Bumstead; however his d.c. says buried in Saratoga. No other Brad's known of. Perhaps erroneously included in this group.
		McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead McFaddin Cemetery was located on property south of Beaumont, in Port Neches, Central Gardens at a location within the grounds of where DuPont is now. The cemetery was discovered in the Fifties, and due to the impending construction of the plant. (See attached newspaper coverage). There were about 30 people buried there whose remains were subsequently placed in four separate concrete boxes and relocated to Forest Lawn Cemetery where they were laid once again to rest in the Garden of Peace section. The headstones for the four graves are all identical, reading simply "TF Smith Homstead Tract Cemetery." The detailed list of occupants only exist on an index card in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park records (see copy attached). All of these people were either residents or descendants of the Sparks Settlement, also called Aurora, (what later became Port Arthur. The families were predominantly the Sparks, Courts and Gentz families and other family names who married into these families. Sparks Settlement was abandoned in late 1800s due to storms and disease; even the houses were moved. Most of them started another community in the Port Neches, Central Gardens area where they started a new cemetery - i.e. what was called the McFaddin Cemetery. Sparks Cemetery was also abandoned. The occupants of that cemetery, those who died while the community was active, were never moved; only recognized by a historical marker placed in a boulevard on DeQueen at Lakeshore (see photo). There is some false information on the Internet that the remains in Sparks Cemetery were removed to Forest Lawn. But what I have been able to discover is that is not the case. It is the later cemetery, McFaddin Cemetery, that was removed. There is also some belief that the cemetery was used even into the 1920s for burial needs; but that also seems to be mistaken information. The were fine and strong and brave pioneers who I am so proud to call my ancestors. They helped build our community here, and somehow, I hope to bring to mind the signifcance of those four plain little headstones marked simply "TF Smith Homestead Tract Cemetery."
		McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
		McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Garden of Peace Section
		McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Garden of Peace Section
Other-Begin	22 Mar 1936	Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Jefferson Co, Texas
Other-Begin		Mrs. Jack C. Beaumont Recalls Early School Days When She Was One of First Five Port Arthur Pupils Port Arthur News Sunday, March 22, 1936 Mentioned in article and linked to: Emma Lee, husband Jack Beaumont, daughter Pearl Beaumont Fred Gentz and wife Bell Sparks, children Welby Gentz and Helen Gentz and husband M.E. (Mathew Edmond) Nobles John Sidney Sparks and wife Melinda Jones; their sons: Albert, Frank, William, Thomas, James, Worth, Henry; daughters: Julia, Sarah and husband Frank Brewton and heir children Grace and Frank, Eliza Jane and husband Samuel Lee (parents of Emma Lee); Belle and husband Fred Gentz
Other-Begin	30 Sep 1952	Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	court case: Smith graves
		McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead 1952 Article Beaumont Enterprise; "Early Burials Found on Neches"; "One of Area Private Cemeteries Uncovered on DuPont Tract"
		Court Cause No. 16187: "W.P.H. McFaddin, Jr., et al, vs. Unknown Heirs of Caroline Sparks, et al" 30 Sep 1952 named deceased persons to-wit: Caroline Sparks, Edward Sparks, John L. Sparks, William Sparks, Joseph Sparks, Susan Sparks Crawford, Phillip Crawford, James C. Sparks, Lura Sparks Spriggs, James M. Court, Julia A. Court, James F. Court, Lillian Court Smith, Irvin Smith, Francis Court Sparks, Viola Court Sparks, Madison Court, Sarah A. Court, Edna Court, Beulah Court, a Mrs. E. Bordeman and child... 45.7 acres on T.F. Smith homestead tract; included in league bought by J.S. Johnson in 1924, who later conveyed the property to E.I. DuPont in 1952, at which time private cemetery was discovered. Court proceedings to have the remains relocated. The following family members not named in the suit but were included in cemetery records: in Grave 1 were: Tilda Courts, Homer Courts, Caudine (Claudie) Courts, Estie baby Courts, Carmel Courts, (unknown), Buff Courts, (unknown), James C Sparks Sr, Fred Frugia (unknown), Genevia Frugia), Florence Frugia (unknown), Brad Courts Sr.
Other-Begin	10 Aug 1961	Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	court case: Smith graves
	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)
		McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead Forest Lawn Index Card on occupants of 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.
Person ID	I507	Roots
Last Modified	26 Apr 2015

Father	John Sidney* Sparks, b. 26 Mar 1811, North Carolina d. Aug 1870, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 59 years)
Mother	Melinda* Jones, (maybe dau?), b. 25 Mar 1819, Middleton, Rhea Co, Tennessee (?) d. Aft 1880, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age > 62 years)
Marriage	1 Mar 1833	near Gatlinburg, Franklin Co, Tennessee
Family ID	F187	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family James* Madison Court, b. 1829, Louisiana d. Aft 15 Aug 1899, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age > 70 years)

Marriage 15 Oct 1850 Jefferson Co, Texas [2]

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.

James Madison Court and Julia Sparks Marriage Certificate
15 Oct 1850
Beaumont, Texas

Children

+	1. Mary Ellen Courts, b. 8 Sep 1852, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 19 Dec 1935, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 83 years)
+	2. Henry Clifton Courts, Sr, b. 5 Jul 1854, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 18 May 1938, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 83 years)
+	3. Julia Nasebyntha "Norie" Courts, b. 7 Jun 1856, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 19 Apr 1936, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 79 years)
+	4. William Thomas Courts, b. 27 Feb 1858, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 21 Feb 1943, Houston, Harris Co, Texas (Age 84 years)
+	5. Elias Madison "Matt" Courts, b. 11 Dec 1859, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 28 Nov 1919, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 59 years)
+	6. Samuel* Helmer Courts, b. 15 Mar 1862, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 27 Dec 1954, Port Arthur, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 92 years)
	7. Liza Courts, b. 1863, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. Bef 1880, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age < 17 years)
+	8. James Franklin Courts, b. 1865, Jefferson Co, Texas d. Abt 09 Nov 1910, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 45 years)
+	9. Annie Melinda Courts, b. 18 Sep 1866, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 7 Apr 1944, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 77 years)
	10. (daughter) Court, b. Oct 1869, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas d. Oct 1869, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age ~ 0 years)
+	11. Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts, b. 1872, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. Bef 1910, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age < 37 years)
+	12. Fannie Irene Courts, b. 1875, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. Bef 1910, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age 35 years)
	13. Emmett Marion Courts, b. Jul 1877, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. 04 Jan 1936, Port Neches, Jefferson Co, Texas (Age ~ 58 years)
+	14. Viola "Vee" Courts, b. Jul 1879, Sparks Settlement, Aurora, Jefferson Co, Texas d. Jan 1912, Matagorda Co, Texas (Age ~ 32 years)

Documents

Courts, James and Julia Ann Sparks
Marriage certificate
license 12 Dec 1850 recorded by I.K. Robertson, county clerk of Jefferson County, Texas
marriage performed by Wm Chisholm, Justice of the Peace, Jefferson Co, Texas Precinct 5

provided to me by Jaye Hendon on 10/13/2015

Family ID F203 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 14 Oct 2015

Event Map

	Marriage - 15 Oct 1850 - Jefferson Co, Texas
	Census - 24 Oct 1850 - Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
	Census - 12 Jul 1860 - Sabine Pass (Precinct 5), Jefferson Co, Texas
	Residence - D.C. - Between 1913 and 1925 - 1598 Cartright, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	Death - 25 Jan 1925 - Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	Burial - 26 Jan 1925 - McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	Other-Begin - court case: Smith graves - 30 Sep 1952 - Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
	Other-Begin - court case: Smith graves - 10 Aug 1961 - Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas

= Link to Google Earth

Photos » Slide Show		Sparks Exhibit, Museum of the Gulf Coast, Court, Julia Ann Sparks 700 Procter Street Port Arthur, Texas
		Sparks, Julia Ann
		Courts, James and Julia Ann Sparks (mistakenly identified as Elder and Tercy Stewart Nobles) Explanation: This photograph was labeled to be Elder Nobles and Tercy Stewart Nobles who lived in Mississippi and was posted to Ancestry as such by Kermit Nobles, their great-grandson. There was a marital connection between the family of Elder Nobles' brother, John Franklin Nobles, who came to Beaumont, and the Gentz family who married into the Courts family. In comparing the photo to known pictures of James and Julia, they are clearly the same couple. Marguerite Courts Mudd, granddaughter of James and Julia, had the individual photo of James Court in a wall size which she gave to her great great nephew, John Sharp, my son. There was also a copy of the individual photographs on display at the Gulf Coast Museum in Port Arthur and were identified as James and Julia Sparks Courts. How the photograph of the two of them got to Mississippi and came to be identified as a photograph of Elder and his wife Tercy will remain a mystery, but this is clearly James and Julia.

Documents » Slide Show		War Department Response Addressed to Julia Sparks Court, Widow of James, regarding his military service - 17 Feb 1906 (d)
		Court, James M - Request for James M Court Military Records to Comptroller's Office, Sate of Texas, on behalf of Julia Sparks Court requesting military records of James M. Court 12 Feb 1906 (d)
		Julia Sparks Court Confederate Pension Application Application for James Madison Court Pension, approved 5 Mar 1915, however Julia died 25 Jan 1925. (d)
		Family Brands (1 of 2) Family Brands Burrell, Burris, Court, Courts, Gentz (document obtained by Debbie Spurgeron, Jul 28, 2003) (d)
		Courts and Sparks Families in Southeast Texas (d)
		Sparks and Aurora Originally published in about 1940, and published on the Internet by "Old and Sold, Turn-of-the-Century wisdom for today." Tells of life among the Sparks and families who lived in the Sparks Settlement in the mid to late 1800s. (d) http://www.oldandsold.com/articles11/port-arthur-4.shtml

Albums		Aurora Remembered (11) In October 1837, two San Augustine men, H. M. Hanks and Colonel Almonzan Huston, former quartermaster general of the Texas army, teamed up to found the townsite of Aurora at present-day Port Arthur.34 One record indicates that the townsite contained 6,677 lots. Although Huston sold some lots to residents of San Augustine, no more than six transactions are recorded in Jefferson County, and the realty venture was soon abandoned. In time, the townsite’s name was transferred to nearby “Sparks’ Settlement,” at the mouth of Taylor’s Bayou, where John and Solomon Sparks settled in 1841 and operated a ferry. Chapter VI: A History of Jefferson County, Texas Early Town-Building and Government By W. T. Block Settlement on the Sabine Lake, first known as Sparks Settlement, and is now Port Arthur, where the Sparks, Courts, Gentz, Burrell, Johnson, Clark, Hayes, and other families lived from 1830s until late 1890s when disease, hurricanes, and mosquitos forced the families to abandon their settlement, moving further inland to Port Neches, Groves, and Beaumont.
Albums		Sparks Exhibit - Museum of the Gulf Coast (17) 700 Proctor Street Port Arthur, Texas c 1993

Sources
[S78] 1850 US Jefferson Co Census.

[S371] Marriage license.