Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: The Sparkmans of Leiper's Fork

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The Sparkmans of Leiper's Fork

4. WILLIAM³ SPARKMAN (JAMES², JOHN¹) was born 09 February 1764 in Hertford County, North Carolina, and died 15 March 1832 in Williamson County, Tennessee. He married ROSANNA WILLIAMS 1789 in Hertford, North Carolina. She was born 12 October 1769 in Hertford County, North Carolina, and died 26 February 1861 in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Notes for WILLIAM SPARKMAN:
Sparkman, William State: Tennessee Year: 1820 County: Williamson Roll: Township: Page: 0 12020112103

Sparkman, William State: Tennessee Year: 1830 County: Williamson Roll:
Township: Unknown Townships 2 Page: 14 0000100001-00010001

William is a descendent of Scottish Immigrants (Sparkmans) in 1635. During the Revolutionary War, WIlliam served in the Continental Army of North Carolina as a Private (DAR Application 336986). During this time, he was captured and sent to a British prison in Jamaica.

William later served in the War of 1812 from 28 Sep 1814 until 27 Apr 1815 as a Corporal in the 1st Regiment of West Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen. This unit was part of Colonel Robert Dyer's Calvary under General John Coffee's Brigade at New Orleans.

Davidson County, TN, Court Minutes 1792-1799
Jno. Buchanan, Joel Lewis, Robt Kennedy, James Foster, Jacob Shores, John Darr (Dan?), Jas. Massow, Thoas Bevers, Wm. Sparkman, Jno. McConnel, Jno. Everett Sr. and Jno. Everett Jr. to view whether road from Nashville crossing Brown's Creek higher up dreek by Joel Lewis's mill, thence to Buchanan's mill might be more serviceable by avoiding the Back Water in the Winter than the present road to Buchanan's mill. [I forgot to note date! Ca. 1797-8.]

William had nine children after moving to Tennesse in Dec 1796.

'On Monday evening, December 8, 1884 an aticle appeared in the Nashville Banner about William Sparkman. "It read as follows:
On the last day of December, 1779 ( should be 1797) William Sparkman with his wife arrived at Nashville with a quarter and half section land warrant in his pocket, from North Carolina, coming to this country for hunting purposes. On his arrival uin Nashville village or Nashborough, he tried all overr the village to rent a room or a cabin. He was very anxious fior it on Mrs. Sparkman's behalf. None could be found. Finally coming across the late Major Lewis, who was farming across the river, he applied to him. The Major told him he had no cabin, but finally told him there was a little shanty down in the field which had been used as a stable for the work stock, and if he could do not better, he could fix that up and go into it. That was his only chaNorth Carolinae and he accepted it, and went in and raked out the litter and moved his wife in, and they spread down their few bed clothes on the naked ground. That night Mrs. Sparkman gave birth to the Seth Sparkman of Williamson County who departed this life a few weeks ago in the Second district of Williamson County, after having lived a long useful and honorable life.
Major Lewis discovered that William Sparkman was a sensible, active fellow, and he enGeorgiaged him to manage and run his farm for him, promising to locate him favorably on good hunting grounds when his term of service ended. He remained with Major Lewis three years, until young Seth was three years old, when he went to Major Lewis in December, 1799 and told him he was tired of farm life, and wanted to go to the hunting grounds the Major had promised him, that he might pursue the business he came to this country for. The Major took Mr. Sparkman's land warrant, and in lieu of it went out to the Duck River ridges, and located it for William Sparkman, who immediately moved his family upon his hunting grounds, which was then immediately on Indian boundary line, and where there was a considerable number of Indians settled - erecting his cabin there he had hunting to his soul's content, and the Indians for his companions. There he shot many bear, deer and turkeys, lived a long life and raised a very large and useful family. The second and Third civil districts of Williamson County are nearly people with his grandchildren and great grand children - honorable, intelligent, thrifty, useful citizens. I called at the house of the venerable Seth Sparkman this summer, and in the course of conversation he pointed out to me where his father and the "Indians used to lie in ambush - up in a beach tree - one day shot eight, killing two find bucks. They would come to a sulpher spring, (a lick), close by. The first he shot did not fall, but ran off badly wounded; the second fell in his tracks. The old man got down out of the tree, and passed round to point to call his dogs tio pursue the wounded buck. Going a little further he came to the fine spring where we were sitting, at Boston P. O. and there found the buck had dropped in the water and was dead.
"William Sparkman had great influnce over his neighbor Indians and they hunted together almost daily. To show Mr. Sparkman's pluck, I will give the story as told me by Seth. William owned a mare, the only horse he possessed. She strayed off, and William could not do well without her. He took a gun upon his shoulder and set out afoot on the hunt of her, tellingh his wife he might not return for five or six days. During his absence the Indians became very troublesome and indeed, so much so, that one day when the cabin was full of red skins, they demanded something to eat and various things. When Mrs. Sparkman could not endure them longer she ordered them to leave the cabin. She was alone with two or three little children. They refused. She stepped to the rack and took down the old deer rifle and ordered them peremtorily to get out and leave. They obeyed orders and left and stayed away. When the old man returned with his mare, his wife informed him of how the Indians had treated her, and how she got rid of them. He then set about to make up with the offended, and invited them to come back. They held out a considerable mength of time before he could convince them that his wife was not mad with them. Finally they went back, but were always on their good behavior when Mrs. Sparkman was near." [End of Newspaper Article]

      Family history tells us that a 16 year old William Sparkman was captured and imprisoned during the Revolutionary War. Maybe that's why, on September 25, 1814 a 50 year old William joined Colonel Robert Dyer's 1st Regiment of the West Tennessee Mounted Gunmen as a Corporal. William left his wife and 9 children 2 to 13 years old and marched off with approximately 2000 other cavalry on October 25th on his way south to meet up with General Andrew Jackson. Upon hearing of General Coffee's coming, Jackson left Mobile, Alabama and when combined at Pensacola, Florida the American army in the area numbered over 4000 men including several hundred Choctaw and Chickasaw braves.
      Florida at this time was controlled by the Spanish, which was supposed to be a neutral country. But they had allowed the British to land and keep troops in their territory. There were concerns by the American government that any action might cause the Spanish to join with the British in the war. But on arrival, General Jackson demanded the surrender of the Spanish forts under the control of Governor Manique and the immediate evacuation of the British from Pensacola. The governor rejected the demands, and on November 7, Jackson attacked Pensacola.
      It is not known exactly what part William Sparkman played in this attack, but five hundred men created a disturbance on the west side of town and before dawn Jackson led the rest of the troops through the woods to the east side. Jackson's camp had been of the west side of town and the Spanish were prepared for an attack on that side. The British ships were anchored to defend the west and when Jackson attack they had no chance to reposition. Everything moved quickly and Manrique soon surrendered the town and fort. In the battle Jackson's troops lost seven dead and eleven wounded. The next day the British destroyed their Fort and blew up what they couldn't sail off with.
      On November 9, 1814, Jackson turned the town back over to the Spanish and returned to Mobile, Alabama where he arrived on November 19. The quick return of control to the Spanish Governor, along with the behavior of the British while in Pensacola - kidnapping slaves, stealing property and what was called "typical British arrogance" - probably kept the Spanish from joining the British in their war against America. But this action along with previous action at Mobile had caused the British to alter their original plans and decide that New Orleans was the place to invade. On November 22, William Sparkman and the rest of Andrew Jackson's army left for New Orleans and arrived in Baton Rouge 11 days later, on December the 3d.
      On December 16, Andrew Jackson, who had gone on to New Orleans, sent a dispatch to General Coffee in Baton Rouge and ordered him to New Orleans. "I need not say to you, to reach me by forced marches, it is enough to say, that (Co)chrane is on our coast with about (sixty sa)il great & small, and report says has t(ake)n all our gun Boats in the lakes." Jackson also told Coffee to send an express to General Carroll in Natchez with instructions to "proceed without delay to this place." "You must not sleep until you reach me or arrive within striking distance." General Coffee covered 135 miles in four days and arrived in New Orleans on December 20th. New Orleans was noted as a festive city, and the town resounded with "Yankee Doodle", the "Marseilles" and other martial music. Both Corporal William Sparkman was now in New Orleans, and the British were in the Gulf of Mexico.
      On December 22, 1814 British General Keane loaded men, ammunition and cannon onto barges, and took them into the bayou's, accompanied by five light cutters of Admiral Cochrane's navy. They rowed the boats 30 miles or so and succeeded in arriving just over a dozen miles from the city without anyone in the American army knowing. Jackson had ordered that all bayous be clogged with logs to avoid just such a move, but for some reason some weren't, probably because the plantation owners were concerned about the cleanup difficulties later. Luckily, Major Gabriel Villere', in command of the Louisiana militia at New Orleans, and whose job it was to clog the bayous, sent eight men out to see if the enemy might be coming up the water ways. The British captured four of the men, who told General Keane that Jackson had around 15,000 men.
      The British reached land, and marched single file through the swamp, with the prisoners in front, until they reached firmer land. At 11:30 A.M. on December the 23d, Major Villere' was with his brother, smoking cigars on the porch of their house when he saw the British. He and his brother were both captured, but the Major jumped through a window and escaped and into a cypress forest that surrounded the swamp and headed for the city to report to Jackson. In the meantime, General Keane ordered his British troops into battalion formation and was urged by his other officers to march onward. But Keane decided to wait for the remainder of the army to catch up and had the army form a regular bivouac. If not for this action, it is likely that the British would have taken New Orleans with little resistance. But the British high command was convinced that they would be able to take the city whenever they wished.
      When Major Villere' reached Jackson, and told his story Jackson exploded. He reportedly said "I will smash them so help me God." Yet he worried that this could be a diversion. He ordered the Tennessee Militia of General Carroll to stay behind and guard the city should this in fact be a feint by moving up the Mississippi. The Tennesseans of General Coffee were to move out to meet the British.
      It is said that the ladies of the city had serious doubts about the vaunted Tennesseans ability to stand up to the British regulars. There was nothing military about them - they wore woolen hunting shirts of a dark or dingy color and "copperas-dyed" pantaloons, with slouching wool hats made of raccoon and fox skins. They had belts of untanned deer skin in which they kept their hunting knives and tomahawks. Judging by William Sparkman's outstanding relationship with the Indians, it is likely that he was one of the soldiers with a tomahawk. "Their long, unkempt hair and bewhiskered faces might scare a Creole lady but hardly the troops of His Majesty's army." But the many years of living in the Tennessee wilderness had made these men expert marksmen, and they now had several months of military service and had become disciplined soldiers. At 3:00 P.M., Jackson with about 1600 to 2000 men moved out of the city. The troops included a battalion of free blacks, Choctaw Indians, two regiments of regular army troops, a battalion of Creoles, Coffees cavalry and probably William Sparkman. The music in the city stopped.
      At 7:30 P.M. Jackson had the ship Carolina open fire on the British encampment. The battle for New Orleans had begun.
      Jackson assembled his troops within five hundred yards of the enemy pickets. He stationed General Coffee with the Mississippi Dragoons and the New Orleans rifle company on the extreme left, with orders to advance along the swamp. They were expected to turn the enemy's flank and crowd them to the river. Coffee had his cavalry dismount, leaving one hundred men to guard the horses and act as a reserve. He gathered his backwoodsmen and spoke to them, "Men, you have often said you could fight; now is the time to prove it. Don't waste powder. Be sure of your mark before firing."
      The Carolina opened up with its cannon on the unexpected British and continued for ten minutes. The British had not brought up any heavy cannon and could not return the fire of the ship. Jackson then gave the order to advance. While other action was taking place, Coffee and his troops rushed forward at the sound of the signal and drove the British back. He wheeled his troops to the right and headed toward the river to turn the enemy's flank. Many of his rifle troops swarmed the Viller'e plantation and penetrated the center of the British camp. The Tennessee sharpshooters armed with long rifles and hunting knives brought down many sentinels, firing faster and with greater accuracy than the British. Both armies collected groups of men and pursued detachments of the other side, causing deadly confrontations on the field. The two sides intermingled, and the battle became mass confusion. In the dark it was often impossible to tell friend from foe, and some men were killed by friendly fire.
      Colonel Dyer's unit, Corporal William Sparkman's unit, and 200 others, became separated from Coffee's command in the confusion. In search for Coffee they discovered a large force of soldiers in front of them and hurried toward it. When ask to identify themselves, the responded with "Coffee's brigade". When they realized that it meant nothing to the sentries, they turned and ran. The enemy fired and when fifty yards out, Colonel Dyer's horse was shot dead. Dyer had his men attack and they forced their way through the enemy position, but lost several men.
      The battle continued until after 11:30 PM and the Americans lost 24 killed, 115 wounded, and 74 missing or captured. The British were amused when they found that many of those captured were merchants or lawyers, not in any way professional soldiers. But it says something about the determination of the Americans that they fought as well as they did in hand to hand combat despite the fact that many of them were inexperienced and had never acted together as an army. Major Latour a graduate of the Paris Academy of Fine Arts and an engineer by trade was in the battle and had been involved in the planning of defenses. In his Memoir he reported, "The heroes of Wellington" (were made) "to appreciate the prowess of those warlike sons of the western country."
      But because the Americans had fought so well, the British General Keane believed that he must be fighting against a much larger force and would no longer listen to arguments to advance until more troops arrived. Jackson now had an army of veterans that had sustained their first action. They had been under fire and had not flinched or turned and ran. The British learned that instead of natives that would be eager to join them, they were encountering a determined opposition. Also, the British, just like in the Revolution, learned that the Americans refused to abide by the rules of modern military behavior. Instead of stationing a regular chain of outposts, British officer Gleig reported that each morning after this battle, some five hundred mounted riflemen, likely Sparkman and his Mounted Gunmen, charged around the open field and "watched our movements in a very irregular and unsoldierlike manner." And at night small bands of Tennesseans wandered around the field looking for the enemy and engaging them in battle, which Gleig reported "in which General Jackson appeared to take so much delight". The British still believed that the fighting ceased at the end of the day. They did not expect to have to continue fending off pesky frontiersmen who did not know when to stop fighting. It was all most improper.
      The following morning, December 24, 1814, Jackson pulled his troops back two miles to the Rodriguez Canal to set up his defenses. He also sent word to General Carroll that if he detected no sign of the enemy, to join the main army at the Rodriguez Canal. On that same day the American peace ministers in Ghent, Belgium, signed a treaty with the British to end the War of 1812 on the basis of leaving everything the way it stood. But communications was slow, neither side knew of the treaty so the British continued with their orders to take New Orleans, move up the Mississippi and divide the continent. If they succeed, then things would remain status quo at that point.
      General Jackson had built his line of defense about ten miles southeast of New Orleans on the Rodriquez Canal. He set up a second line about a mile behind the first knowing that General Coffee's cavalry would be able to help him withdraw if necessary. The canal was about four foot deep and ten feet wide that ran at a right angle to the Mississippi into a thick cypress swamp about three-quarters of a mile inland. This was the narrowest position to defend between the river and the swamp and it made an excellent barrier against advancing enemy. They then built a three or four foot high rampart along the northern rim from mud and debris out of the grass-grown bottom of the ditch. When they struck water the dirt rampart started to slide back into the canal, so they cut cypress logs which were laid to anchor the mud. With the depth of the ditch, this wall was seven or eight foot high. Jackson then placed his cannon at intervals along the line of defense. While they were building this wall of defense, the British did nothing, but watch.
      The next day, Christmas day, a cheer went up from the British camp when Lieutenant General Sir Edward Michael Pakenham caught up with his army. Pakenham was just arriving from having fought with the Duke of Wellington in his defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe. Now he was prepared to take on the Americans.
      Pakenham was not happy with his situation and regretted that the army had not proceeded to New Orleans earlier. He pondered withdrawing his entire operation and beginning again at another point. But Admiral Cochrane angrily interrupted, "We are not defeated, and there is nothing wrong with our position. If the army shrinks from the attack here, I will bring up my sailors and marines from the fleet. We will storm the American lines and march into the city. Then the soldiers can bring up the baggage." For whatever reason, Pakenham decided against withdrawal. He rode out to reconnoiter the American lines and saw the Americans galloping around the field. He remarked that they gave the "appearance of snipe and rabbit hunters beating the bushes for game."
      On the 27th of December the British fired their newly arrived heavy cannon and sank the Carolina, and on the 28th the British attack but were repelled by the Americans. From that time, until January 8th there was a seemingly constant action. The Americans would sneak out at night and pick off the British sentries. Later an artillery battle would take place almost continually. On the left side of the line nearest the swamp, where Coffee's units was set up, the ground was so low that the troops were encamped in water and had to walk in knee deep mud. Small islands provided to enough space to pitch a tent, but nothing more. They often had to sleep on gunwales or logs raised a few inches above the soft muck and mire.
      On January 8th, the American line, now extended 950 yards into the swamp, was over a mile long. On the very left, now almost entirely in the swamps was William Sparkman and the rest of the Tennessean's under the command of General Coffee. Altogether, the British were now facing over three thousand men, many now seasoned troops. The British under General Pakenham's command numbered upwards of 10,000 regular soldiers.
      On the night of January 7th, Pakenham sent 1400 of his men to cross the river to capture the American artillery and located there and turn the cannon upon Jackson from behind. But when they arrived at the river, the barges to transport them had not arrived. By the time the barges arrived, they were 8 hours late and could only transport about 450 of the 1400 men. In addition, the British had planned to row directly across, but the mighty Mississippi had other plans and the British landed a mile and a half downstream.
      At the same time General Gibbs with 2200 men was to attack what they considered the most vulnerable point in the American defense, General Carroll's Tennesseans, to the right of Coffee. In reserve behind Gibb's men was the 93rd Regiment, the crack Highlanders. The West Indians were to create a diversion by attacking General Coffee's unmounted cavalry near the swamp.
      At the same time, Pakenham told the 44th regiment, an Irish unit, to rush forward and hurl heavy bundles of sugar cane into the Rodriquez Canal to fill up the ditch, after which scaling ladders would be thrown against the parapet so that it could be mounted. When this unit was given its orders, its commanding officer reportedly said, "My regiment has been ordered to execution".
      The Americans had heard, and watched, all the activity of the British and knew the attack would be coming in the morning. Jackson arose at 1:00 A.M. and started preparing his troops. The Kentuckians, who had only recently arrived, lined up in reserve of Carrol's Tennesseans at 4 A.M. This was a stroke of luck, because it was the area the British had believed to be the weakest, based on the information given the British by an American deserter.
      While the Americans fixed a breakfast of bacon and cornbread with either coffee or possibly something stronger, the British were allowed no fires. Few of them had bathed since their arrival and many had been wet and cold for days. Finally they were preparing to enter battle and win a victory today and spend the night in comfort in New Orleans.
      Pakenham awaited for his troops sent across the river to attack, but nothing was heard and the sun began rising. He rode to Gibbs column where the main force would be attacking General Carroll. But the 44th Irish troops had not moved into place with the cane bundles and ladders. More delays when success depended on correct timing and sticking to schedule. The attack should be aborted, but Pakenham had no plans for stopping his plans. He assumed the 44th would make it , even though they were somewhat late in their arrival. He felt that he was facing an inferior, undisciplined army of frontiersmen who would run when charged with bayonets. When would the British learn the lesson? Maybe today. "FIRE" came the command.
      Off shot a Congreve rocket. It rose with a great swooshing sound, seemed to dart from one side to another and then fell to the ground and slithered along the ground like a snake, then explode with a sharp report and a gush of acrid smoke. These rockets were used during the British siege of Copenhagen in 1807 with a great deal of success, and probably would have been effective against a cavalry of frightened horses. Their most well known use was at Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key wrote what was to become our National Anthem.
      But the signal to begin the attack had not been given to all the units and most stood around watching. There was fog that day, and the British troops weren't even sure who was firing. Then began the British artillery which was responded to by the American cannon. Then finally the British, led by General Gibbs began the attack. But the 44th was still not in place. Gibbs said of Colonel Mullins, the commander of the 44th, "Let me live till tomorrow and I'll hang him to the highest tree in that swamp". But with the heavy fog in place, Gibbs column advanced and reached the American outpost, slowly at first, then with greater speed as they pushed the outpost back and advanced toward the American main force.
      But it was late, and with the fog lifting and the sun rising, the Americans got their first sight of the British, with 10,000 professional soldiers lined up across the horizon, their scarlet uniforms with shining metal outfittings in precise formations with bayonets fixed gleaming in the sunlight. Flags and standards were fluttering in the breeze, drums beating in unison, bugles blaring the advance and artillery and cannon from both sides were roaring. It was an exhilarating and glorious sight, and "with the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" the army that had just defeated Napoleon, it was a frightening sight - one only the Kings army could provide.
      But cheers erupted from Carroll's troops, followed by the Kentuckians behind them, the cheers of men who welcomed the opportunity to prove once and for all that they were freemen whose liberty would be defended. And the British cheered to, for finally being able to escape their entrapment in the swamp and smash through the American line. When Carroll finally gave the command to fire upon the British who were now only two hundred yards away.
      As Gibbs advanced, the American cannon opened fire as hard as they could. They punched holes in the ranks of the British troops only to be filled by disciplined redcoats. When they reached two hundred yards Carroll gave the Tennesseans the order to fire. The entire line erupted as they emptied their weapons into the ranks of the onrushing British.
      The American fire was answered by the British Artillery, and it developed into a constant rolling fire of noise. And then the New Orleans band started playing "Yankee Doodle" and continued playing throughout the entire engagement.
      The American lines rotated with the first line firing then stepping back to reload, while the second line advanced and fired. This was repeated by the third and fourth lines resulting
in a constant fire. One Kentuckian told "Our men did not seem to apprehend any danger, but would load and fire as fast as they could, talking swearing and joking all the time." Meanwhile, the British couldn't even see their enemy. The Americans simply swung their weapons over the rampart and fired down on the British heads. They were mowed down by the hundreds. The Tennesseans never seemed to miss - the sounds of the battle was now joined by the screams and cries of the wounded and dying redcoats. Soon the bodies seemed to be stacked, one of top of another.
      Now as the British, decimated as they were still advanced into the ditch and found no means with which to cross. The 44th was just arriving with the bundles and ladders. It was led by General Pakenham when its commander failed to follow orders. Pakenham's horse was shot out from under him. Gibbs crack unit broke and ran. Both Gibbs and Pakenham tried to stop them, but to no avail.
      The 93d Highlanders, who were Gibbs reserve, moved into action to support the attack. They feinted to the right and then turned oblique to the right and headed into the fire. Gleig wrote, "Never was a step taken more inpruditly or with less judgment." The Highlanders bagpipes started playing the regimental charge and the tartan trousered unit with their bayonets glittering in the sun light moved at a quick step pace. Gibbs men saw the Highlanders and reformed.
      But the Americans were still there and as the 93rd approached, they fired once more, killing the 93rd's commander on the first round. The Highlanders reached within 100 yards of the rampart when they finally broke and fled.
      As they charged, General Pakenham saw them and cried out "Hurrah! Brave Highlanders!" And almost immediately he was shot with a mortal wound. After his death Gibbs tried to rally what was left and had gotten to within twenty yards of the Americans when he was hit. He was carried to the rear where he died the next day. General Keane was now wounded and no field officer remained to command the forces. Interestingly, Lt. Gleig finally reached the ditch and climbed the muddy wall to reach the summit where he was shot in the head. He was carried to safety, survived and wrote much about the battle. The British West Indian Corp also advanced into the woods in a diversionary action, but William Sparkman's unit dispersed them in less than ten minutes.
      As the battle began its end, the carnage became known. Of the 3000 in the main attack force, less than 1000 escaped death or injury. One of the British officers who was forced to surrender stated, "What a disgrace for a British officer to have to surrender to a chimney-sweep." While some shooting continued for hours, the battle only lasted twenty-five minutes. Three generals, seven colonel, and nearly 2000 men had fallen in this short time.

More About WILLIAM SPARKMAN:
Burial: 17 March 1832, Sparkman Cemetery, Williamson County, Tennessee
Military service: Revolutionary War, War of 1812

Notes for ROSANNA WILLIAMS:
Name: Rosannah, Sparkman Township: Not Stated County: Williamson State: Tennessee Roll: 537 Page: 119
1M 20-30 1F 15-20 1F 30-40 1F 50-60 1F 60-70

More About ROSANNA WILLIAMS:
Burial: 28 February 1861, Sparkman Cemetery, Williamson County, Tennessee

Children of WILLIAM SPARKMAN and ROSANNA WILLIAMS are:

13.	i.	MARY⁴ SPARKMAN, b. 03 September 1791, Beauford, North Carolina; d. 18 August 1888, Polk County, Missouri.
14.	ii.	CELIA SPARKMAN, b. 03 January 1794, Hertford County, North Carolina; d. 10 October 1871, Butler County. Missouri.
15.	iii.	SETH SPARKMAN, b. 15 January 1797, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee; d. 18 October 1884, Williamson County, Tennessee.
16.	iv.	WILLIAMS SPARKMAN, b. 13 September 1799, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee; d. 27 August 1850, Williamson County, Tennessee.
17.	v.	ELIZABETH SPARKMAN, b. 23 January 1802, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 27 August 1893, Maury County, Tennessee.
18.	vi.	CHARLES ROBINSON SPARKMAN, b. 08 July 1804, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 06 February 1856, Greene County, Missouri.
19.	vii.	JAMES COLDEN SPARKMAN, b. 01 January 1807, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 1884, Clifton, Wayne County, Tennessee.
20.	viii.	DELANA M. SPARKMAN, b. 11 August 1808, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 08 August 1882, Lawrence County, Tennessee.
21.	ix.	THOMAS WASHINGTON SPARKMAN, b. 14 July 1812, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 21 December 1896, Williamson County, Tennessee.

5. JESSE³ SPARKMAN (JAMES², JOHN¹) was born 02 September 1768 in Hertford County, North Carolina (Source: Bible Records of Sarah D. Sparkman.), and died 05 January 1846 in Williamson County, Tennessee. He married MILLIE 18 April 1789 in Bertie County, North Carolina. She was born 27 March 1769 in North Carolina, and died Bet. 1856 - 1860 in Williamson County, Tennessee.

Notes for JESSE SPARKMAN:
Jesse Sparkman State: North Carolina Year: 1790 County: Beaufort Roll: M637_7 Township: Unknown Township Page: 126 Image: 0579

When Jesse Sparkman left Beaufort in 1800 for Greene Co., he sold his farm
to John Wollard.

Sparkman, Jesse State: North Carolina County: GREENE 1810 Locale: NO TWP LISTED Series: M32 Roll: 31 Part: 1 Page: 590 2M 0-10 1M 40-45 2F 0-10 1F 40-45
Sparkman, Jesse State: Tennessee Year: 1820 County: Williamson Roll: Township: Page: 0 Image: 410001-01111 this shows Jesse 45 & up 4 males under 10 1 male 16-18 male 16-26 1 female under 10 1 female 16-18 1 female 16-26 and 1 female 45 up

1840 Williamson County Census Dist 1 page 13
Jesse Sparkman 1m 70-80 1f 70-80

Jessie Sparman first shows un in Williamson County in 1807 on the tax list showing him owning 107 acres.

Sparkman, Jesse State: Tennessee Year: 1830 County: Williamson Roll: Township: Page: 0

Williamson County Court Minutes, May 1806 - April 1812
Source: "Williamson County, Tennessee County Court Minutes, July 1812 - October 1815" by Carol Wells
April Ct., 1809. Jesse Sparkman is appointed constable in Capt.
Sparkmans Militia Company.
April Ct., 1810. Jesse Sparkman records his stock mark.
April Ct. 1811. Jesse Sparkman is elected constable in Capt. Sparkmans
Company of Militia.
April Ct. 1811. Jesse C. Sparkman elected constable in Capt. Sparkmans
company gave bond $625 with Wm. Sparkman & Jesse White his securities.
July Ct. 1812 Jesse Sparkman resigns his office of a constable for this County.
April 1813 Order Jesse Sparkman oversee road from John Andrews to old Natches rd west of John Johnstons formerly David Dobbins

Carters Creek School, Maury County, Tennessee, 1831-35
The lesson book for this school prepared by Thomas Roundtree contains a list of scholars at the end which provide some missing middle names for Maury County Sparkmans. Description of the lesson book: dated Sept 9 1833

James Green Sparkman No. 102 (son of Jesse and Milly Sparkman)
William Carroll Sparkman No. 103 (son of Jesse & Milly Sparkman)
Jesse Jackson Sparkman No.104 (son of Jesse & Milly Sparkman)
Allen Sparkman No. 105 (son of Jesse & Milly Sparkman)
Jesse Sparkman Wren No. 106 (son of William Wrenn and Winifred Sparkman)
Mahala Carolina Wren No. 107 (daughter of William Wrenn and Winifred Sparkman)
Thomas Winstead(?) Wren No. 108 (son of William Wrenn and Winifred Sparkman)
William Daniel Walker No. 109 (son of Noah Walker & Mary Sparkman)
Delila Jane Walker No. 110 (daughter of Noah Walker & Mary Sparkman)
Mahala Delana Walker No. 111 (dauhter of Noah Walker & Mary Sparkman)

The Will of Jesse Sparkman

In the name of Almighty God Amen. This the 7th of June A. D. 1845. I Jesse Sparkman of the County of Williamson and State of Tennessee, being low in health, but sound in mind and memory, call to mind that men have once to die; do make and constitute this my last will and Testament, revoking and disavowing all other will or wills have before made by me. In the first place I will and bequeath my soul to Almighty God, who gave it to me, and my body to be buried in a Christian like manner.
2nd Place I will that all my just debts be paid.
3rd place I will my land to my two sons, William Carroll and Allen Stanton Sparkman also the balance of my property, as a compensation of their trouble in maintaining me and their mother.
4th place I will that if there should be any thing left of my property besides my land, after paying espenses of maining us at the death of us that my son Jessee Jackson Sparkman have twenty five dollars.
5th I will that my son Jessee Jackson Sparkman have the use of the house in which he now lives and the privlege of the shops as long as he wishes.
6th place I will that at our deaths our negro woman Easter be liberated. [could be Caster]
I hereby make and appoint my two sons William Carroll & Allen Stanton Sparkman my executor to execute this my last my last Will and Testament. Signed, and sealed & delivered, the day and date above written.
[Signed] Jess Sparkman
Attest: Addison Satterfield
Alexander M. Robinson

Jesse Sparkman is said to have been the brother, some say twin (but a Bible Recrd from Jane Kennedy a descendat if Wyatt Coleman and Sarah D. Sparkman bow shows otherwise as a twin) William Sparkman, who was born in 1764 in Hertford County, North Carolina. There is sufficient evidence to indicate that William was the son of James Sparkman and Nancy Segar. In 1790, Jesse Sparkman lived in Beauford County, North Carolina, just across the county line from William Sparkman, William's brother Thomas Sparkman and Thomas' brothers-in-law Richard Taylor and Joseph Witherington in Martin. William Sparkman, relocated to Nashborough in 1796, then to Williamson County, Tennessee, in 1799, where he lived on the edge of Cherokee lands: Jesse followd a few years later and so did their sister and Her family Sarah Ann Sparkman Godwin and husband George Winn Godwin.

Jesse at the time of his death was 77 years, 4 months, 3 days

More About JESSE SPARKMAN:
Burial: Aft. 07 June 1845, Sparkman, Crawford, Patton Cemetery, Williamson County, Tennessee

Notes for MILLIE:
A lot of Genealogist have stated that Millie's last name was Wrenn. There has been no proof of this and I doubt that to be true as Thomas Wrenn came out of Lundenburg County, Virginia and the Sparkman's out of North Carolina and Jesse and Millie were married in North Carolina. The names we are investigating are Pope and Patton as they run in Jesse's line for generations.

1850 Williamson County Census shows Millie Sparkman age 81 Living with son William C, Sparkman household 122. Millie was also mentioned in 1856 in William's estate meaning probably she died after he did.

More About MILLIE:
Burial: Bet. 1856 - 1860, Sparkman, Crawford, Patton Cemetery, Williamson County, Tennessee (Source: Cemetery Records Williamson County, Tennessee.)

Children of JESSE SPARKMAN and MILLIE are:

22.	i.	DELILA⁴ SPARKMAN, b. 23 October 1790, Beaufort County, North Carolina; d. Bet. 1860 - 1870, Probably Lewis County, Tennessee.
23.	ii.	KINCHEN SPARKMAN, b. 16 December 1792, Beaufort County, North Carolina; d. 11 February 1836, Williamson County, Tennessee.
24.	iii.	HUMPHREY WILLIAM SPARKMAN, b. 09 September 1795, Beaufort County, North Carolina; d. 15 November 1838, Maury County, Tennessee.
25.	iv.	WINNEY SPARKMAN, b. 08 June 1798, Beaufort County, North Carolina; d. 14 July 1853, Maury County, Tennessee.
26.	v.	CLARA SPARKMAN, b. 30 June 1801, Probably Greene County, North Carolina; d. 03 September 1868, Hickman County, Tennessee.
27.	vi.	NOAH ROSS SPARKMAN, b. 11 June 1809, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. June 1860, East Feliciana Parish, Lousiana.
28.	vii.	SARAH D. SPARKMAN, b. 24 June 1808, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 18 January 1864, Panola County, Texas.
29.	viii.	JAMES GREEN SPARKMAN, b. 23 November 1811, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 16 November 1890, Lawrence County, Tennessee.
30.	ix.	JESSE JACKSON SPARKMAN, b. 31 October 1814, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 05 January 1876, Williamson County, Tennessee.
	x.	WILLIAM CARROLL SPARKMAN, b. 31 October 1814, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. 1855, Williamson County, Tennessee.

Notes for WILLIAM CARROLL SPARKMAN:
William Caroll never married and his estate was settled by his cousin Seth to his mother and brothers and sisters or their children.

The distribution of William Carroll Sparkman's estate in a/c with Seth Sparkman administrator: [notice date is 19 February 1856]

"The parties in interest having been notified & the administrators___________________I have this day settled with nine relatives to his said administration and find a balance in his ___________of $300.17 which divided by eleven gives to each share $27.28 The distributees are, Milly Sparkman, George & Delila Sessums, Kinchen Sparkmans children being William S. Sparkman, Matthew P. Sparkman, Jesse N. Sparkman, Clavin Sparkman, Edward & Margaret R. Petty & Ethelbert K. Sparkman are each entitled to $4.54. Humphrey W. Sparkman's children being Josiah & Milley Alderson, William Sparkman, Daniel & Elizabeth Pigg, Moses Fitzgerald & wife Louisa, Francis Sparkman, Alexander & Melissa Trimble sin in member are each entitled to $4.54. Winney Wrenn's children, three in number to with Jesse S. Wrenn, James Petty's wife Mahala, Thomas H. Wrenn are each entitled to $9.09, Peter & Clara Wren, Noah R. Sparkman, Wyatt & Sarah D. Coleman, James G. Sparkman, Jesse J. Sparkman & Allen S. Sparkman each entitled to one share of $27.28. The shares of Matthew P. Sparkman, Clavin P. Sparkman, William S. Sparkman, Jesse N. Sparkman, Edward & Margaret Petty, Ethelbert K. Sparkman, Allen S. Sparkman, Milly Sparkman, Jesse J. Sparkman, Peter & Clara Wren, Noah R. Sparkman Wyatt & Sarah D. Coleman have been paid and bonds taken.

Sparkman, William C. State: Tennessee Year: 1850 County: Williamson Roll: Township: 2nd Civil District Page: 41
William C 35 Head
Millie 81 mother

More About WILLIAM CARROLL SPARKMAN:
Burial: 1855, Patton, Crawford, Sparkman Cemetery, Williamson County, Tennessee
Occupation: Wagon Maker

xi.

ALLEN STANTON SPARKMAN, b. 03 June 1817, Williamson County, Tennessee; d. Aft. June 1865, Williamson County, Tennessee.

Notes for ALLEN STANTON SPARKMAN:
SPARKMAN, ALLEN State: Tennessee Year: 1850 County: Maury County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Township: 19th District Page: 226 Database: Tennessee 1850 Federal Census Index
Allen Sparkman age 30 was Living in the houshold of Ethelbert and Nancy Kirby household 1071 19th District. I know nothing of this family but Kinchen Sparkman named a son Ethelbert and Kinchen's daughter Margaret Rebecca Sparkman Petty also gave one son that as a middle name.

Name: Allen Sparkman Age: 30 Estimated Birth Year: 1819 Birth Place: Tennessee
Gender: Male Home in 1850 (City,County,State): District 19, Maury, Tennessee
Page: 226 Roll: M432_890
Allen 30 Living in home of Ethelbert Kirby

A S Sparkman shown in 1860 Maury County Census as age 38 Overseeer of Eth Kerby Farm Springhill Post Office dated 1-2 July 1860 page 469

Allen S. Sparkman found in: Sparkman Allen S. E 44 Tennessee Infantry. Private Private Confederate Civil War Confederate Pension Applications Index Applicant Information Name: Sparkman, Allen S. County of Residence at time of application: Williamson, Tennessee Application type: Soldier Application numbers associated with this individual: S954 Military Information State Served: Tennessee Unit Served: 44th Infantry

It appears Allen never married and we do not know where he is buried but I suspect near his father in Patton/Sparkman/Crawford Cemetery in Williamson County, Tennessee. There is also no list of his estate in probate court in said county.

A letter dated June 1865 from Eliza Ann Sparkman to her brother in law Wyatt Coleman and her neice Millie Ann Pope Coleman stated Allen was living in Williams Bottoms and still single and she guested he would remain that way.

In a letter written by Allen's mother Eliza Ann dated June 1865 to Wyatt Coleman and his daughter Millie she states Allen was still single and she figured he would remain that way living in Williamson Bottom's.

More About ALLEN STANTON SPARKMAN:
Burial: Probably Patton Crawford Sparkman Cemetery
Military service: CSA

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