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George Sparks and Elizabeth Betsy Wells

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The Sparks Family Tree Website gives this on George Sparks:

SQ, p. 1319:

GEORGE SPARKS OF LEWIS AND NICHOLAS COUNTIES, KENTUCKY

“George Sparks was born about 1767 and died prior to 1840, probably in Nicholas County, Kentucky. He was probably the George Sparks who married Rachel McClenahan in Nicholas County, Kentucky, on April 18, 1805. (This may have been his second marriage since a George Sparks married Elizabeth Wells on June 14, 1790, in Bourbon County.) It is quite possible that his widow was the female aged between 70 and 80 who was enumerated among the family of George Sparks on the 1840 census of Nicholas County; this latter George Sparks is believed to have been a son of George and Rachel (McClenahan) Sparks.

“George Sparks paid taxes from 1787 to 1799 in Bourbon County, but apparently was in that portion of Bourbon County which became Fleming County in 1798 because he paid taxes in Fleming County from 1802 to1804. He was in Lewis County from 1809 to 1817, but went to Nicholas County where he lived until is death prior to 1840.

“George Sparks was an Ensign and then a Lieutenant in the Fleming County Regiments (Cornstalk Militia), first in the 30th Regiment and then in the 58th Regiment in 1803-4.” (Article here lists 10 children by sex and approximate birth-dates, no names.

“Some descendants believe that they can identify four of the ten children of George Sparks as George Sparks, Jr.; John Thornton Sparks; Cyntha Ann Sparks; and William Sparks. More positive proof is needed to make this claim a certainty; however, in the hope that the publishing of these records will stimulate the uncovering of additional data, we are giving the records of these four persons as probable children of George and Rachel (McClenahan) Sparks.” (here follows information on the four children named for which see their family sheets.)

SQ, p. 5128: “George Sparks, born ca. 1764, died ca. 1835. He was married (1st) to Elizabeth (Betsey) Wells, and (2nd) to Rachael McClanahan in 1805. Information regarding him and his family can be found in the QUARTERLY of June 1970, Whole No. 70, p. 1319; and December1970, While No. 72, p. 1370.”

I’ve no proof of it, but it’s my belief that James Sparks b, 1803 in Kentucky is the James who was a son of George Sparks and Elizabeth “Betsy” Wells. The following will be difficult to follow for individuals not somewhat familiar with the families in question, but let’s see how it goes…

James SPARKS and Mary ELLIS named a second son George and a third son Otho and the fourth son William, so these names fit. family-wise. Especially interesting is the use of the name Otho by both James and Mary Ellis and George and Elizabeth “Betsy” Wells.

John Wesley BIRCH, brother of Carrie BIRCH/BURCH (married James SPARKS) married an Elizabeth LENTZ b. 1838 in IN, Greene Co. LENTZ name is also seen in this family with John Thornton SPARKS, son of George and Rachel McCLENAHAN, marrying an Elizabeth LAUNTZ b. 1805. A nephew of John Thornton Sparks’ remembered an aunt marrying a SCOTT. James Nicholas ELLIS and Susanna ELLIS, siblings of Mary ELLIS (married James SPARKS) married SCOTTS.

The children of George and Elizabeth are said to be:

  1. Charles Sparks b. 1791 in Kentucky
  2. James Sparks b. about 1800
  3. Otho Sparks b. abt. 1800
  4. Ellen “Nellie” Sparks b. 1804

The children of George and Rachel are said to be:

  1. Mary Sparks b. abt. 1807
  2. John Thornton Sparks b. abt. 1809, died 1849 in Lewis County, Kentucky, married Elizabeth Launtz b. abt 1805 in Maryland, died after 1879.
  3. George Sparks b. abt. 1811 married 1st Catherine Stokes then Hanna Fishback.
  4. William Sparks b. 1812, married 1834 March 23 in Lewis County, Kentucky to Sianna Gilbert b. 1817 in Kentucky, died 1905 in Douglas County, Missouri
  5. Cytha Ann Sparks b. abt. 1814 in Fleming County, Kentucky, married Jesse Nash, son of James Nash and Mary Brackney.

The SPARKS Quarterly gives George as being in Lewis County, Kentucky in 1810 and there is one George Sparks in that census. The George in this census has only 1 male child and 2 female children and George SPARKS is believed to have had 3 male children by Betsy WELLS between abt. 1791 and 1803, and one female child. b. 1804. James’ mother Betsy had however died by 1810 and George remarried to Rachel MCCLENAHAN. They had 1 female child and 1 male child, both under 10, by now. As this is the only George SPARKS in the Lewis Co. census, it would seem James and his two brothers might have been living with another family after the death of their mother. Ellie, James’ sister would fit in the age category of the 10 to 15 year old female in the household. James’ oldest brother, Charles, would have been about 19 and they were possibly in a household of their own.

1810 KY, LEWIS CO.
pg. 99 (5 of 10 ancestry)
Joshudy BALEY
Sollomon THOMAS
William SHEPHERD
John GATH (McGATH)
John BELL
Solom. SHEPHERD
GEORGE SPARKS
NOTE: 1 male under 10, 1 male 26 to 44, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10 to 15 and 1 female 16 to 25.
Conrad PRTUNY?
Martin TOMAS (LOMAS?)
Wm. THOMPSON
Levy CONNELLY
Samuel COX
Andrew JONES

In the 1820 Nicholas Co. KY census George SPARKS is living 4 doors from a James McCLANAHAN who is living beside a James ELLIS who would be the father of James Mason ELLIS.

Thomas DOUGHTY, father of Francis Doughty, wife of James Mason ELLIS, is seen on the following page.

Interesting to note that John ELLIS, brother of James Mason ELLIS, married a Lucretia WELLS, and that George SPARKS married an Elizabeth WELLS.

There is also a Caleb SPARKS in the census. He has 2 males to 10, 2 10 to 16, 1 26 to 45, 3 females to 10, 1 26 to 45 and 3 males in agriculture.

The NASH name appears both in this family and the family of Caleb SPARKS (son of William, son of William SPARKS and Martha MOORE), his daughter Catherine marrying Eli Harrison NASH, who is a brother of Jesse NASH, who married Cytha Ann, daughter of George and Elizabeth. The ELLIS name also appears in that family. Joseph SPARKS, son of Caleb SPARKS, married Isabella ELLIS. I don’t know who she is but there is likely to be found a relationship eventually.

In the George Sparks household there are 2 males to 10 (William and ?), 2 males 10 to 16 (John and Charles?), 1 45 and up (George). Then 1 female 0 to 10 (Cynthia), 1 16 to 26 (Mary) and 1 26 to 45 (Rachel).

Jesse ENLOW is observed in the census, whose line married into the HACKNEY-CROCKETT side of the family.

1820 NICHOLAS CO. NICHOLAS TOWNSHIP KY CENSUS pg. 104 or 105 (pg 1 ancestry.com)

Pg. 108 (5 of 26 ancestry.com)
…
Alexander MCDONALD
James SMITH
Thomas HARVEY?
Alexander MCDONALD JR
Jesse ENLOW – 3 – – – 1 1 – 2 – 1 – 4 – – 1 – – – 2 – 1
John HUFFSTULLER
William BARRETT
James ROBESON
James MCDOWELL
Horatis MCDOWELL
…
pg. 15 of 26 Ancestry.com
William HOLLADAY
Bevery BROWN
Thomas LONG
Ellis CORBIN
Nimrod WOOD
John JONES
William MCDOWELL
…
Jane BELL
Eliakin? LONG
Benjamin WILSON
John DOUGHERTY
Henry FOSTER
…
Avery LONG
Samuel ARNETT?
Abraham GLASSCOCK
George SPARKS 2 2 – – – 1 1 / – 1 1 – –
Samuel HOWARD
Henry SPHERE?
Nancy CLARK
Jacob BURNS?
James McCLANAHAM
?
James ELLIS – – – – 1 1 – – 2 – 1 – 2 – – – – 1 – 1 – 1
1 m 26 to 45, 1 m 45 and up; 2 females 16 to 26, 1 45 and up, 2 people in agriculture, 1 male 14 to 26 slave, 1 male 45 up slave, 1 14 to 26 female slave
NOTE: Profile of children doesn’t fit James Mason Ellis. But it seems there would be some relation as Thomas DOUGHTY is living the next page over by a PEYTON.

By 1827 James Sparks has married Mary Ann Ellis and, according to the census of children’s birth places, is in Indiana soon thereafter.

A possible is found for George Sparks in 1830 Nicholas County, Kentucky, though the household doesn’t fit with several young females present.

1830 Nicholas County Kentucky
pg. 213
Andrew SCOTT
James SMITH
Benjamin SHANKLIN
Andrew SHANKLIN
John STOOPS
George SPARKS – – 1 1 1 – – 1 / 1 1 1 – – – 1
1 male 10-15, 1 15 to 20, 1 20 to 30, 1 50 to 60, 1 female under 5, 1 female 5 to 10, 1 female 10 to 15, 1 female 40 to 50

Of course, I could be wrong about George being James’ father, but I’m ninety-nine percent confident this suspicion will prove right, if it does manage ever to be proven.

Joseph Burch Jr. and Elizabeth Gardner

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Joseph BURCH Jr., son of Joseph BURCH and Malinda COLLINS, is given as having been born 18 Feb. 1812 in Surry County NC. He died 11 July 1842 in Greene County, IN. at about 30.

Joseph BURCH Jr. married Elizabeth GARDNER, daughter of John GARDNER and Elizabeth BREEDEN, in 1834 in Greene Co. IN. Elizabeth GARDNER was born 15 May 1813 in Calvert Co. MD and died 18 Dec. 1871 in Martin Co. IN at about 68.

  1. Carrie (Cary) Ann BURCH b. 1835 in Greene County, Indiana, died 1917 in Chautauqua County, Kansas, married James E. SPARKS.
  2. John Wesley BURCH b. 20 Jan. 1836, Shoals, Martin County, Indiana, died 1886 Nov 3 in Loogootee, Martin County, Indiana. Married Elizabeth E. LENTZ 1860 Dec 20 in Indiana. Their children were James, Wesley, Emily Ann, Mary Elizabeth and Isaac Nathan.
  3. Isaac Franklin BURCH b. 1838 in Ohio, died 1893 Feb 28 in Martin, Indiana, married on 1867 May 2 in Martin County, Indiana, Clarisa M. Bright who was born 1848 in Ohio.
  4. Martha Melinda BURCH b. 1842 in Indiana m. Thomas ELSEY 13 April 1859 in Martin County, Indiana

After the death of Joseph BURCH, Elizabeth GARDNER BURCH married second Richard CRANE who was her brother-in-law, who had married first Rebecca Jane GARDNER 1 Dec. 1824.

First, Richard’s children with Rebecca Jane Gardner:

  1. John Cord Crane b. 1825 March 26 in Monroe County, Indiana, died 1859 July 4, married on 1844 March 19 in Monroe County, Indiana to Alvira Ellis, b. abt. 1814, daughter of James Mason Ellis and Francis Fanny Doughty. Alvira was a sister of Mary Ann Ellis b. 1806 who married James Sparks in 1827 (the direct line of this blog). One will note that Alvira didn’t marry until 30 and her husband was 18.
  2. Richard Allen Crane b. 1826, died 1878, married 1846 Jan 22 in Monroe County, Indiana to Elizabeth J. Sparks b. 1828, died before 1853. Elizabeth was a daughter of James Sparks and Mary Ann Ellis and so a sister of James E. Sparks who married Carrie Burch. Richard Allen Crane was a 1st cousin and step brother of Carrie Burch. Richard and Elizabeth had a son James Sylvester b. 1848 March 11 who married Emily Lents (Lentz?) 1866 Aug 8 in Martin County, Indiana.
  3. William Thomas Crane b. 1828 in Monroe County, Indiana, died 1882 in Martin County, Indiana, married 1850 Nov 12 to Elizabeth B. Flood, born 1827 May 17 in Shelby County, Kentucky.
  4. Isaac Allsbury Crane b. 1831, married 1851 Sep 18 to Mary B. Williams.
  5. Elizabeth Jane Crane b. 1833 married 1852 Jan 20 John Cannon b. abt. 1830.
  6. James Benjamin Crane b. 1832 Sep 28 in Monroe County, Indiana, died 1909 April 27 in Martin County, Indiana, married 1857 Dec 6 to Louisa Bowon.
  7. Sarah Ann Crane b. 1836 Aug 6, died 1858.
  8. Susan Rebecca Crane b. 1838 June 27, died 1888 March 5, married James Mays.
  9. George Harrison Crane b. 1840 March 10, died 1907 July 9, married Laura Cloutch and a Bussinger.

Elizabeth Gardner and Richard CRANE had the following children:

  1. Charles Henry CRANE b. 7 Feb. 1847, d. 24 Nov. 1904 at 57, married Lucinda D. SHOEMAKER on 3 June 1883.
  2. Eliza Emeline CRANE b. 5 Oct. 1848, d. 10 July 1910 at 61, married Walter R. LOVE 12 Nov. 1868. He was the son of Hubbard Love b. 1805 and Sarah Smith b. abt. 1810.
  3. Joseph Washington CRANE b. 10 June 1850 d. 8 May 1917 in Princeton, Indiana. He married Ruth H. MCCULLOUGH
  4. Lucinda Catherine CRANE b. 30 Nov. 1851 d. 7 April 1923 at 71, married Jabez JONES, 5. Nov. 1868.
  5. James CRANE b. 1853
  6. Julia Anne CRANE b. 13 May 1854 m. Richard M. FIELDS 19 March 1871.
  7. Florence CRANE b. 2 October 1860 d. 9 Nov. 1879 at 19.

THE CENSUS DATA

1840 GREENE CO. INDIANA CENSUS

pg. 122 (pg. 41 of 50 Ancestry.com)
…
Archibald CARMICAL
Archibald CARMICAL Jr.
Elisha BIRCH – 2 – – 1 | – – – – 1
John GARDNER Sr. 1 – – – 1 – – 1 | – – 1 – 1 – – 1
…
pg. 123 (43 of 50 at Ancestry.com)
…
John WORKMAN
?
Js. GARDNER – – – – 1 | 2 1 – – 1
Isaac GARDNER – – 3 – – – 1 | 3 – – – – – 1
? WHALY?
Zebulon Alexander
John GARDNER Jr. – – – – 1 | 1 – – – – 1
Asa WHALEY
…
pg. 124 (45 of 50 at Ancestry.com)
…
Enoch SHELTAN?
M. WILLIAMS?
James B. BURCH 2 2 1 – – 1 | – – 2 – – 1
Andrew MCCRAW
Joseph BURCH – – – 1 – – – – 1 | – – – – – – – 1
Joseph BURCH Jr. 2 – – – 1 | 2 – – – 1
NOTE: Carrie Ellis Burch’s parents.
Wm. COLLINS – 1 1 – 1 | 1 – – – 1
Davis BURCH 2 – – – 1 | – 1 – – 1
James BARTAU
Wm. RUSSELL? Sr. Wm. RUSSELL
George BURCH Sr. – – – 1 – – – – – 1 | 1 1 2 – – – – – 1
John CRANE – – 1 – – 1 | 1 1 – – 1
Charles BURCH – 1 1 – – – 1 | 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 –
Yuel BURCH – – – – 1 | 1 – – – 1
G. W. COLLINS 1 – – – – 1 | – – – – 1
Micajah COLLINS – – – – – – – 1 | – – – – – – – 1 – – 1
Floyd COLLINS – – – – – 1 | – – – 1
James BURCH Sr. 1 – – – – – – – – – 1 | – – – – – – – – 1
James P? BURCH – 1 1 1 – 1 | 1 1 1 1 – 1
James EDWARDS
Wm. EDWARDS
Jeremiah WALKER
George EDWARDS
Samuel CLOVER?
James F.? CHANEY
Solomon WILKINSON?
Zuben BEASLEY?
Isaac HOOPERS
Elizabeth RUBBLE?
Obadiah NASH
Heardin EDWARDS
Andrew WEAVER
Aurora? GOODIE?
Allen SPARKS 1 1 – – 1 | 1 – – – 1

In the 1850 Martin Co. Perry Township IN census. Elizabeth CRANE is living nearby James and Mary SPARKS. Her husband, Richard, is given as living in the household of his son, Richard A. CRANE, next door, but this is probably a transcription error in the census. Children living with Elizabeth were John C., Thomas, Isaac E., Elizabeth, Benjamin J., Susan R., (all of these previous children of Richard and Rebecca), Charles H., Elisa E., Cary A. BIRCH (given as 2 which is an error), John A. BIRCH, Isaac T. BURCH and Martha S. BIRCH. A child of Richard and Rebecca’s who isn’t in the household is Sarah Crane, who would have been about 14. Carrie Burch is erroneously given as 2 when she would have been 15, but her siblings ages are all about right.

1850 MARTIN COUNTY PERRY TOWNSHIP INDIANA CENSUS
pg. 51A
140/142
John ELLIS 76 farmer b. PA 400 can’t read or write
William 38 farmer 200 b. KY can’t read or write
John 34 150 b. KY can’t read or write
Elizabeth McCAMORIN 36 b. KY can’t read or write
Mary ELLIS 32 b. IN
William McCAMORIN 16
Sarah MURPHY 15
Jane MURPHY 15 twins
William McCAMORIN 16 farmer b. IN
141/144
Martin STUCKEY 52 potter 400 b. KY
Catharine 31 b. NC
John 1 b. IN
Martin 1. b. IN
142/145
Upton STUCKEY 27 potter 600 b. IN
Jane 30 b. NC
Martin 4 b. IN
Arthur 1 b. IN
Aaron ROSE 16 potter b. NJ
143/146
Hubbard LOVE 45 farmer
Sarah LOVE 40 $500 b. NC
John 30 farmer b. IN
Sarah J. 18
William N. 15 farmer
Mary Ann 13
Arch 10
Emaline 7
Naller ? 3
144/147
Sabra LOVE 83 b. PA
James S. LOVE 22 farmer b. IN
NOTE: Rootsweb.com LOVE message board gives a James LOVE b. c. 1766, m. late 1780 to Sabra., moved to Davies Co. IN c. 1817 then to Martin Co. IN. in 1820. Their children were: Ruth b. 1790 m. 1819 to Martin STUCKEY in IN; Elizabeth b. 1798 m. 1819 to Frederick STUCKEY in IN; John b. after 1791 m. Amy HORNER; William D. b. aft. 1791; James W. P. b. 1800 m. Nancy J. LOVE; Hubbard b. c. 1805 m. Sarah SMITH and then Sarah A. LOVEALL.
145/148
Hannah LOVE 26 b. SC
Abigail B., EMORE 8 b. IN
146/149
John CRANE 26 Farmer 200 b. IN
Elvira 36 b. KY
John C. 4 b. IN
p. 51B
William CRANE 3 b. IN
Ben N. 1
NOTE: Worldconnect gives Elvira ELLIS (sister of Mary Ellis SPARKS) , b. 1814 KY, daughter of James M. ELLIS b. 1784 PA or VA and Francis Fanny DOUGHTY. John Cord CRANE was a son of Richard CRANE and Rebecca GARDNER (Rebecca was a sister of Elizabeth GARDNER and Elizabeth married 2nd Richard CRANE). John Cord CRANE died young… “She may not have been in a good mental state. Some records indicate that her children were given away and she is found in one census as ‘living with a slew of paupers’. 1850 Census: IN, Martin Co. Perry Twp; 1860 Census: IN, Martin Co. Perry Twp, pg 51; 1870 Census: IN, Martin Co. Center Twp. pg. 300; 1880 Census: IN, Martin Co. Perry Twp.; Holt History of Martin Co IN Vol. 2 (Putnam County Library.” Next door is Elvira and Mary’s brother James Nicholas ELLIS. 147/150
James N. ELLIS 36 Farmer 500 b. KY
Maria 36 b. KY
Elvira 13 b. IN
Elizabeth 11
Mary J. 9
James A. 4
Benj. 2
NOTE: This is James Nicholas ELLIS b. 21 July 1811 in Nicolas Co. KY and died 3 Sept. 1892 in Neosho Co. KS. His wife is Rebecca Mariah SCOTT b. 1 May 1816 in Nicolas Co. KY. A genforum post notes on Rebecca Mariah SCOTT that her parents were Jonathan SCOTT and Catherine BORDERS, and that Jonathan’s father was Simon SCOTT who “was a youngster in Scotland when Pirates captured him, and released him in Virginia when he was of age…thus he knew his first name but not last, so he called his surname Scott after Scotland.” Whether factual or family legend that may one day to prove to not be true, it’s a fun story.
148/151
James SPARKS 46 farmer 300 b. KY
Mary 43 b. KY
George T. 20 b. IN
James E. 18
Otho 16
William 13
Benj. 10
Mary Ellen 5
149/152
Richard A. CRANE 23 Farmer $200
Elizabeth CRANE 22
James S. 2
Richard 49 farmer $650 b. KY 150/153
Elizabeth CRANE 42
John C. 23 farmer
Thomas 22 farmer $400
Isaac E. 19
Elizabeth 17
Benjamin J. 16
Susan R. 16
Charles H. 3
Elisa E. 2
Cary A. BIRCH 2
John A. BIRCH 13
Isaac T. BURCH 12
Martha S. BIRCH 7
George H. CRANE 10
151/156 James and Percilla QUEEN

1860 CUMBERLAND COUNTY ILLINOIS SPRING POINT CENSUS
pg. 738
James ELLIS 38 stone mason b. KY
R. Mariah 44 b. KY
Elvira MILLER 23 b. IN
Mary ELLIS 19
James 14
Benjamin 12
Jonathan 10
Margaret
Sarah A.
Thomas
James W. ? 4
Albert 5
NOTE: James ELLIS was living next to the SPARKS in the 1850 Martin County census.
pg. 740 (76 ancestry.com)
73/73 James W. SCOTT 45 wheelwright $1200 $500 b. KY
Adelia 45 b. GA?
Malison 19 f. b. IL
Carolin 16 b. IL
Robert 12. b. IN
James Wesley SCOTT is going to be a relative of Rebecca Mariah SCOTT married to James ELLIS in the above household.
74/74
James SPARKS 54 M Farmer personal value 200 b. KY
Mary 53 F b. KY
Benjamin D. 21 M b. IN
Mary E. 17 F b. IN
75/75
James SPARKS 26 m Farmer b. IN
Cary A. 24 F b. IN
John 7 M b. IN
Mary E. 3 F b. IN
Martha C. 1 F b. IN
576/576?
John COWWDE? COWWELE 50 b. NY and family
84/84 577/577
Wiley C. VAILS 36 and Susan and family
78/78
Elizabeth M. SCOTT 40 widow
79/79 Davies LARKINS 65 and Ann and family
80/80 John ELLISON 30 and family
81/81 Sanford LARKINS 30
82/82 Wiliam LARKINS 28 and family
83/83 Alfred P. GIBBONS? 43 and family 584/584
D. ELLIS 28 personal property 500 b. ILL
Sarah 25
Martha A. 7
John 5
Andrew Ellison 2
585/585
Samuel SHOPES or SHAPES 36 (PA) and Mary and family
586/586
Stephen SMITH and Julia and family

1860 IN Martin Co Loogootee
352/350 Richard CRANE 58 farmer $4000 $500 b. MD
Elizabeth 28
John 15 b. IN
Chas H. 13
Eliza E. 11
Lucinda 7
Joseph W. 8
James H. 7
Julian 2

In 1870 we find Elizabeth Gardner Crane living in the household of her daughter Eliza who married Walter R. Love. Daughter Julia is with her, but Florence, who would have been about 10, is not.

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Perry, Martin, Indiana; Roll: M593_342; Page: 389; Image: 781.
135/135 STUCKEY Upton 47 Potter $3000 $500 Indiana
Eliza J. 50 NC
Martin C. 24 IN
Arthur D. 21
Upton H. 15
Nancy J. 14
Newton 11
ELLIS John D. 19
136/136 LOVE Walter S. 23 $0 $100 b. IN
Eliza E. 21
Dora E. 9/12
CRANE Elizabeth 59 $0 $400 MD
Julia A. 15
157/157 ELLIS James M. 85 Farmer $700 $120 b. PA
Frances 85 VA
ELSEY Edward M. Farm laborer $0 $200 IN
Sarah 18
HARPER Rebecca 27 domestic

Both Richard H. Crane and Elizabeth Gardner are given as buried in the Love Cemetery in Martin County, Indiana. Joseph Burch Jr. is given as being in the Burch Cemetery at Greene, Indiana.