"John Sparks made his will in 1731 and after his death on April 19, 1737, the will was entered into court for probate on May 24, 1737. Here is the full text:
THE LAST WILL OF JOHN SPARKS OF QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND
"In the name of God Amen. I, John Sparkes, of Queen Anne's County and Province of Maryland, Planter, being sick and weak but of sound mind and perfect memory and not knowing how long it may please God to call me Doe make ordain & publish this to be my last Will & Testament.
"First and Principally I Bequeath my Soul to Almighty God my Creat or & merciful Redeemer and my Body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like manner by my executors hereafter named and as for the Worldly Goods it had pleased God to bless me with I Devise Bequeath and Dispose of in manner & form following after my just debts are duly paid.
"Item. I give and bequeath unto my five sons George, John, Millington, Absalom and Caleb my three tracts of land viz: one called "Sparkes Inclosure" containing 195 acres, "Sparkes Choice" containing 100 acres & 100 acres lying in his Lordships Mannor in Queen Anne's County on the southeast branch of Chester River the whole containing 395 acres to be equally divided between them & their heirs and assigns forever.
"My will is that my loving wife Cornelia Sparkes have the use of my dwelling Plantation and Appurtenances thereto belonging to her Widowhood & no longer, as also the use of my Negro man Will during her life and after her decease then my Will is that my said Negro Man be & remain to my son Caleb to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
"As for the remainder of my Personal estate I leave to be equally divided one third to my loving wife Cornelia Sparkes and the other two thirds among my nine children viz: George, John, Millington, Absalom, Caleb, Sarah, Mary, Rachell & Cornelia to them their heirs & assigns forever.
"Item. I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter, Sarah Sparkes, daughter of my son William, deceased one featherbed two blankets & a Rug to her her heirs & assigns forever.
"And Lastly I Doe consitutute Authorize and Appoint my loving wife Cornelia Sparkes my whole & sole executor of this my last Will & Testment to see this my Will performed and Doe hereby revoke annul and make void all other Wills by me heretofor made & this only to be deemed and taken for my last Will & Testament for witness whereof I have hereunto sett my seal this 28th day of Janry 1731. his
Signed Sealed Pronounced & Declared [signed] John J S Sparkes
to be the last Will & Testament of mark
the said John Sparkes.
Jacob Kelley, Margt Kelley, Eliza Sparkes
(here follows deputy commissioners verification)
"Cornelia Sparks, widow of John, qualified as his executrix on May 28, 1737, with George Elliott and John Merrideth as her bondsmen and her bond was fixed at 200 pounds. On June 3, 1737, she returned an inventory of the personal property of her deceased husband amounting to 158 pounds. The property had been appraised by John Earl and Edward Brown. Two of John Sparks's sons, John, Jr., and Millington, were witnesses to the inventory.
"Cornelia Sparks did not live long enough to complete the settlement of her husband's estate; she died on December 22, 1737. After her death (both her date of death and that of her husband were recorded in the Register of St. Luke's Parish) her son, George Sparks, was appointed Administrator de Bonis non to finish the settlement of the estates of both of his parents. He made a final accounting of the estate of his mother on December 14, 1739. After all debts were satisfied, the estate of Cornelia Sparks amounted to 108 pounds. Representatives of Cornelia included eight of her children: George Sparks, John Sparks, Millington Sparks, Absal om Sparks, Caleb Sparks, Sarah Herbert, Mary Ruth and Cornelia Alley."
END OF ARTICLE p. 1701.
http://www.sparksfamilytree.net/ghtout/npr416.html#H02226
|
| Notes |
- http://sparksfamilytree.net/family_tree/wga84.html#I19638
Sparks, John (~1684 - 1737) - male
b. ABT. 1684
d. 19 APR 1737 in Queen Anne's County, MD
father: Sparks, William (<1646 - ~1709)
mother: ???, Mary (~1640 - 1730)
See The SPARKS QUARTERLY, March 1971, Whole No. 73, pg. 1389:
"Children of William and Mary Sparks:
...John Sparks, born about 1680. Prior to 1704 he married Cornelia---. He died April 19, 1737, and Cornelia died December 22, 1737 . They were the parents of ten children: William; George; John Jr. ;Millington; Absalom; Caleb; Sarah; Mary; Rachel; and Cornelia."
See The SPARKS QUARTERLY, December 1974, Whole No. 88, page 1699:
HAVE WE FOUND THE PARENTS OF ELIJAH SPARKS OF EARLYINDIANA?
"The June 1973 issue of THE SPARKS QUARTERLY (Vol. XXI, No. 2, Who leNo. 82), pg 1556 was devoted to an article about Elijah Sparks of earlyIndiana. Part of the article was concerned with the lack of knowledge asto the place of his birth and as to his parentage. Contemporaries hadgiven conflicting testimony as to his place of birth , some saying thathe was born in Queen Anne's County, Virginia (there was no such county inVirginia) while others stated that he had been born in Frederick County,Virginia. None could tell who his parents were. It now appears fromdata recently uncovered that Elijah Sparks was born in Queen Anne'sCounty, Maryland and that his parents were Absolom and Elizabeth (Brown)Sparks.
"Absalom Sparks was born in the early part of the 1700's, probablyabout 1720, and was a son of John and Cornelia (---) Sparks of QueenAnne's County, Maryland, and a grandson of William and Mary Sparks whocame to Maryland about 1670, probably from County Hampshire, England.William Sparks died in 1709 in Queen Anne's County and left a will inwhich he named his children, including his son, John Sparks. (See theMarch 1971 issue of the SPARKS QUARTERLY, Vol. XIX, No . 1, Whole No. 73,for a fuller account of William and Mary Sparks.]
"John Sparks, father of Absalom, was born about 1680, probably inTalbot County, Maryland. Prior to 1704, he married Cornelia ---. Hermaiden name was very probably Curtis for in 1704 she and her husband,John Sparks, acted as adminis- trators of the estate of Caleb Curtis inneighboring Kent County, Deleware. Caleb Curtis was very likely herfather or brother.
"Like his father, John Sparks was a parishoner of St. Luke's Churchlocated at Church Hill in Queen Anne's County, and it was there that manyof the births and marriages of his family were recorded. "By hisfather's will, John Sparks inherited a tract of land which his father hadpurchased from John Hamer. John (Sparks's) father realized that thetitle to the land might prove to be faulty, so he provided for analternate inheritance if that proved to be the case. Undoubtedly, thetitle was not valid, for in March 1716, John Sparks and his brother,William Sparks, returned the land to Hamer. William Sparks rebought theland from Hamer at a later date.
"John Sparks was involved in three more land transactions prior to hisdeath. In 1715, he and his wife, Cornelia, were granted a tract of 100acres from Charles Carroll, agent for Charles Calvert, Lord Baltimore,Proprietor of the Province of Maryland. The land was on he south sideof Southeast Branch of the Chester River about one-half mi le aboveSyberry's Branch. (JS: See note under William, his brother) It wasgranted to John Sparks for his natural lifetime, or for the naturallifetime of his wife, Cornelia, or for the natural lifetime of his son,John Sparks, Jr.
"The second transaction came in 1722 when John Sparks bought back 200acres of land which his brothers, George Sparks and Joseph Sparks, hadinherited from their father, but which they sold to Augustine Thompson in1719. The tracts were called "Sparks Choice" and "Sparks Enclosure."
"The final land transaction was made in 1733 when John and CorneliaSparks sold a lot in Ogles Town for 565 pounds of tobacco. Ogles Townwas authorized by the Maryland Assembly in 1732 and was to be erected onthe south side of the Southeast Branch at its mouth. There is no traceof the village today. We have not learned how the lot became theproperty of John and Cornelia Sparks.
"John Sparks made his will in 1731 and after his death on April 19,1737, the will was entered into court for probate on May 24, 1737. Hereis the full text:
THE LAST WILL OF JOHN SPARKS OF QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND
"In the name of God Amen. I, John Sparkes, of Queen Anne's County andProvince of Maryland, Planter, being sick and weak but of sound mind andperfect memory and not knowing how long it may please God to call me Doemake ordain & publish this to be my last Will & Testament.
"First and Principally I Bequeath my Soul to Almighty God my Creat or& merciful Redeemer and my Body to the Earth to be buried in a Christianlike manner by my executors hereafter named and as for the Worldly Goodsit had pleased God to bless me with I Devise Bequeath and Dispose of inmanner & form following after my just debts are duly paid.
"Item. I give and bequeath unto my five sons George, John,Millington, Absalom and Caleb my three tracts of land viz: one called"Sparkes Inclosure" containing 195 acres, "Sparkes Choice" containing 100acres & 100 acres lying in his Lordships Mannor in Queen Anne's County onthe southeast branch of Chester River the whole containing 395 acres tobe equally divided between them & their heirs and assigns forever.
"My will is that my loving wife Cornelia Sparkes have the use of mydwelling Plantation and Appurtenances thereto belonging to her Widowhood& no longer, as also the use of my Negro man Will during her life andafter her decease then my Will is that my said Negro Man be & remain tomy son Caleb to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
"As for the remainder of my Personal estate I leave to be equallydivided one third to my loving wife Cornelia Sparkes and the other twothirds among my nine children viz: George, John, Millington, Absalom,Caleb, Sarah, Mary, Rachell & Cornelia to them their heirs & assignsforever.
"Item. I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter, Sarah Sparkes,daughter of my son William, deceased one featherbed two blankets & a Rugto her her heirs & assigns forever.
"And Lastly I Doe consitutute Authorize and Appoint my loving wifeCornelia Sparkes my whole & sole executor of this my last Will & Testmentto see this my Will performed and Doe hereby revoke annul and make voidall other Wills by me heretofor made & this only to be deemed and takenfor my last Will & Testament for witness whereof I have hereunto sett myseal this 28th day of Janry 1731. his
Signed Sealed Pronounced & Declared [signed] John J SSparkes
to be the last Will & Testament of mark
the said John Sparkes.
Jacob Kelley, Margt Kelley, Eliza Sparkes
(here follows deputy commissioners verification)
"Cornelia Sparks, widow of John, qualified as his executrix on May 28,1737, with George Elliott and John Merrideth as her bondsmen and her bondwas fixed at 200 pounds. On June 3, 1737, she returned an inventory ofthe personal property of her deceased husband amounting to 158 pounds.The property had been appraised by John Earl and Edward Brown. Two ofJohn Sparks's sons, John, Jr., and Millington, were witnesses to theinventory.
"Cornelia Sparks did not live long enough to complete the settlementof her husband's estate; she died on December 22, 1737. After her death(both her date of death and that of her husband were recorded in theRegister of St. Luke's Parish) her son, George Sparks, was appointedAdministrator de Bonis non to finish the settlement of the estates ofboth of his parents. He made a final accounting of the estate of hismother on December 14, 1739. After all debts were satisfied, the estateof Cornelia Sparks amounted to 108 pounds. Representatives of Corneliaincluded eight of her children: George Sparks, John Sparks, MillingtonSparks, Absal om Sparks, Caleb Sparks, Sarah Herbert, Mary Ruth andCornelia Alley."
END OF ARTICLE p. 1701.
**********
In SQ 3835-3847 is a feature article named "Millington Sparks (408)(ca1715-ca.1780) Son of John and Cornelia (Curtis) Sparks of Queen AnnesCounty, Maryland". Commencing on page 3835: "By the terms of his will,John Sparks's wife, Cornelia Sparks, was to become the executrix of hisestate, and, following his death on April 9, 1737, she was deemedqualified for that task by the Queen Annes County Court, on May 28 ,1737. A few days later, she presented to the Court an inventory of herlate husband's personal property. As recorded in Inventory Boo k 22,pages 353-355, here is the inventory as presented by Cornelia S parks.We believe that it provides an interesting insight into the w ay of lifeat this time. (The three columns on the right reflect the value of eachitem in "Pounds", "Shillings", and "Pence.")
Queene Annes County. A Just True & perfect inventory of al l &singular the goods & Chattles Rights Debts & Credits of John Spar ks ofsd Co decd appraised in Curnt [current] money by us whose hand s & sealsare hereunto annexed the 3rd Day of June Anno Domi 1737.
£ S d
To his wearing apparel 2 10 0
To cash 4 8 6
To 1 Negro Man 30 0 0
To 1 best bed & bedstead & 1 Rugg 2 blankets 1 sheet 2 pillows 5 0 0
To 1 bed & bedstead & two blanketts & 1 rugg 4 0 0
To 1 bed & bolster & Trunnel bedstead 2 blankets & a rugg 3 150
To 1 old bed & old bed stead 2 0 0
To 1 bed & bedstead & two old blankts & 1 rugg 3 15 0
To 1 pair of andiron Doggs 0 12 0
To 1 fire shovel & one pair of tongs 0 5 0
To 1 oval Table & To 3 old chairs 0 17 0
To 1 pair of small stillards 6s and 1 small case with 10 bottles 016 0
To 1 old chest with lock & key 6s & 1 old chest 3 s 0 9 0
To 1 pewter Tankard 2s6 To 1 smaller Do (ditto) 1 s 0 4 0
To 1 small Trunk 2s6 To 1 smaller Do 1 s 0 3 6
To 44 1/2 lbs of Pewter at s 8 1 9 8
To 1 small looking glass 2s6 To 4 Doz of Candles at s 6 0 4 6
To 1 per Tinn candle Box s6 & 1 old brass mortar & pestle 2 s 0 2 6
To 2 Earthen Muggs & 3 Earthen dishes & 1 place 0 3 9
To 2 Earthen Dishes & 1 Barbers basan & 1 small earthen cup 0 3 2
To 1 small stone pott & 1 stone jugg 0 1 3
To 9 earthen milk pans s6 to 1 drinking glass s 3 0 0 9
To 1 pepper box to 9 wooden trenchers 0 2 9
To 1 brass skimmer s6 to 1 old pair sheep shears s 6 0 1 0
To 1 small Cow bell 1s To 7 bush of whest at 4 s 1 9 0
To 2 meal sifters 3 To 8 books at 10 0 13 0
To 1 stone jugg 2s6 To 2 small water jugs 1 s 0 3 6
To 1 old box iron & 2 heaters & 3 small earthen potts 1 3 6
To 1 old gun @@ 10 To 1 cut saw @@ 12 s 1 2 0
To a new falling ax and 3 old Do 0 12 0
To a parcel of Carpenters tools 0 6 0
To 1 pair of scissors @@ 3 To 7 yards of Country flannel at 1s6 0 109
To 1 old razor @@ 6 To 1 pair tow cards @@ s 4 0 0 10
To 3 pecks of Salt 1s6 To 1 old curry comb @@ 4 s 0 1 10
To 1 old Woolen Wheel 6s To 1 Linnen Wheel 10s 0 16 0
To 1 old linnen wheel 5s to pair wool cards @@s 9 0 5 9
To 2 iron wedges 2s To 2 bridles 4s to 3 old bridles @@ s 9 0 6 9
To 117 lb of pott iron @@ 2 1/ 2 1 4 4 1/2
To 3 pair of pot hooks @@ 1s per 0 3 0
To 1 flesh fork 6 To 1 iron pot rack 0 5 6
To 1 old Frying Pan @@ 1s To 1 old mill stone @@ 5s, To one
grindstone 0 9 0
To 1 mans saddle old 10s to 7 old dry tubs 7s 0 17 0
To 5 old Cyder Casks @@ 12s To 1 old cutting knife s9 0 12 9
To 900 10 py nails @@ 5s To 1 iron candlestick s 6 0 6 6
To 307 lbs of Bacon @@ 4s l b 5 2 4
To 10 lbs of Beef @@ 2s To 3 old weeding hoes @@ s 1 0 4 8
To 2 old hilling hoes & 1 grubbing hoe 0 2 0
To 2 mares of seven years old 9 0 0
To 3 breeding sows @@ 6 To 12 hoggs of 1 1/2 yr old @@ 5s per 31 80
To 11 shoats @@ 2s per 1 2 0
To 4 cows & 4 yearlings @@ L2/5 per 9 0 0
To 1 old cow & 1 calf 1 15 0
To 3 steers of 2 years old @@ 15s per 2 5 0
To 1 heifer of 2 years old @@ 18s To 1 large Bull L 1.1 0 2 8 0
To 19 sheep @@ 6 per To 8 lambs at 3 per 6 18 0
To 17 Barrels of Indian Corn @@ 8s1 1 7 1 8
To 21 Geese @@ 1s per To 63 lbs of Wool unwashed 3 8 3
To 1 plow & plow tackling 16s to 9 lbs Flax 1 s 1 5 0
To 4 1/2 Raw hides 0 18 0
To 1 Silver Cup 0 3 8 1/2
To a small parcel of unbroke Flax 0 2 0
To 2869 lbs of Tobacco @@ s2 23 18 2
To a parcel of old lumber 0 6 0
his ) Total 158 19 8
John I Sparks ) nearest
mark ) of John Earl
his ) kin Edward Brown
Millington X Sparks)
mark
Augst Thompson )
& ) Creditors
Solomon Clayton )
"August 24, 1737. Then came Cornelia Sparks Exr of the withinmentioned John Sparks, deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangeliststhat the within Inventory is a just & perfect one of all & singular theGoods and Chattles which were of said decd that came to her hands at thetime of making thereof that what hath since or shall hereafter come toher hands or possession she will return an additional inventory. Thatshe knows of no concealment of any part or parcel of said decd personalEstate by any person whatever and yt (that) if she shall discover anyconcealment or suspect any to be she will aqqaint the Commy General forthe time being or his Deputy with such discovery or Cause of suspicionthat it may be enquired into and that she will well & truly give an acctof all & every part of sd deceaseds personal estate that shall hereaftercome to her hands possession or knowledge.
Sworn to before me James Earle Dty Commery, Queen Anns County.
[Editor's note: Under the law in Colonial Maryland, an inventory of thepersonal property of a deceased person had be be signed not onl y by themen (usually two) who conducted the inventory (in this insta nce JohnEarl and Edward Brown), but by two individuals who could be described as"kin" (the spelling was usually "kinn') seems to have varied from placeto place and time to time. Relatives who were not, themselves, heirs ofthe deceased were sometimes preferred, whereas on other occasions, adultchildren who had actualy been willed property signed the inventory as"nearest of kin." In this instance, it will be noted, two sons of JohnSparks signed the inventory, John [ Jr.] and Millington. Both signed bymark, and the Deputy Commissary , James Earle, who was doubtless the onewho wrote their names, spelled Millington as "Millenton."
"Readers are reminded that, until quite recently when Great Britainintroduced the metric system into its currency, a pound consisted oftwenty shillings and a shilling comprised 12 pence. Where separateamounts were designated for multiple items in a single entry in theinventory of John Sparks, the word shilling was appreviated to s; wherethe value of the "small looking glass," for example, appears a s "2s6,"this meant two shillings and six pence.
For reasons of space limitation, the notes of John Sparks are continuedunder his wife's name.
spouse: Curtis, Cornelia (*1682 - 1737)
- m. BEF. 1704
----------child: Sparks, William (~1700 - 1731)
----------child: Sparks, George (~1705 - )
----------child: Sparks, John (1705 - )
----------child: Sparks, Mary (~1715 - )
----------child: Sparks, Millington (~1715 - ~1780)
----------child: Sparks, Rachel (*1716 - )
----------child: Sparks, Sarah (*1717 - )
----------child: Sparks, Caleb (*1720 - )
----------child: Sparks, Cornelia (~1720 - )
----------child: Sparks, Absalom (~1725 - 1771)
|
1684 - 1737 (53 years)
