Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,063, for Joseph Sparks, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service
Conn.
Sparks, Joseph
Sparkes
Eleanor
Number W. 20,063
Contents
Page 2

Joseph Sparks
Declaration & affidavit
Page 3

Joseph Sparks of Willington in the county of Tolland in the state of Connecticut, a resident citizen of the United States & now residing in Willington aged 57 testifies & declares on oath, that in Feby A.D. 1777 he enlisted to serve as a soldier in the Continental army in the revolutionary war.  The term of three years in the compy. commanded by Capt Ichabod Hinckley of Tolland in Colonel Charles Webbs regiment, being the 2nd in the Connect. line of the Continental army, and he joined to compy. at Stamford in Connect. in the Spring following & served there in against the common enemy until Feb 7 AD 1780 when he was honorably discharged at Springfield in the state of New Jersey by a writing for that purpose by Hezekiah Holdridge, Lieut. Colonel Commander, but to discharge is lost & he verily believes is not now in existence.
He also says, that he was in several skirmishes with the enemy- and that he is now reduced in his circumstances in life & stand in need of assistance from his county for support
Joseph Sparks
Tolland May 2nd 1818
Page 4

State of Connect. Js.
County of Tolland May 2nd 1818
Personally came before me Sylvester Gilbert residing Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for sd county above named Joseph Sparks & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed.
Sylvester Gilbert Judge of sd Court

I Sylvester Gilbert presiding Judge of the county Court in the county of Tolland in Connect. do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the sd Joseph Sparks did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceeding declaration against the common enemy and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the directions of the Act of Congress in this case made & provided Tolland County, Js. [illegible] May 2nd 1818
Sylvester Gilbert Judge as aforesaid
Page 5

Tolland County Js. 
Tolland May 2nd 1818
Personally appeared David Hinckley of Willington and made solemn oath that he served as a Sergeant in Capt. Hinckleys Compy. & Col. Webbs Regiment in the revolutionary war for three years & he knows that Joseph Sparks of sd Willington served as a soldier in the same company, and that his declaration on this paper is true.   I also say that he was one of the best of soldiers & always did his duty faithfully and further that he is poor, has a sickly wife & he is in need of assistance from his county for support.
Before me
Sylvester Gilbert
Presiding Judge of Cty. Ct.
Page 6

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.

State of New-York,
County of New York ss
On this fifteenth day of March
1839, before me, the subscriber, a Notary Public in and for said County, personally appeared Eleanor Sparkes who, on her oath,
declares that she is the same person who name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Connecticut from whence she
has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory)
of New York and City of New York where intends to remain, and wishes her pension to be there payable in future; and that the reasons
for removing to the state of New York and City of New York are to reside with her children.
Eleanor Sparks

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid
Sylvester Spencer
Notary Public
NOTE. -- The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, setting forth that the person taking the testimony is a
Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also have the authentication as above required.
Page 7

State of New York
City of New York
Be it known that before me the subscribed , a notary public in and for the State of New York residing in the city of New York, personally appeared David Sparks of the city aforesaid and made oath in due form of law that he is personally acquainted with Eleanor Sparks who is a pensioner of the United State under the Act 7th July 1838 at Eighty dollars per annum, and well know her to be the identical person subscribed in her affidavit and copy of her original certificate hereto annexed.
David Sparks
Sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of March 1839 before me.
the word "day" written on an erasure
Sylvester Spencer
Notary Public

I certify that the above named Daniel Sparks is a credible witness
Sylvester Spencer
Notary Public
Page 8

Under Act of 7th July, 1838.
CITY AND COUNTY OF
NEW-YORK, SS.
Known, That before me, SYLVESTER SPENCER, a Notary Public, in and for the city and county aforesaid, personally appeared Eleanor Sparkes and made oath in due form of law, that she is the identical person named in an original certificate, in her possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy:
WAR DEPARTMENT
FIVE YEARS' PENSION.
I certify, that in conformity with the act of July 7th 1838, Eleanor Sparks widow of Joseph Sparks deceased who was a private during the Revolutionary War and died on the Twenty sixth day of January 1826 is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of Eighty dollars and __ cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.

GIVEN AT THE WAR OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES, this 19th day of September one thousand eight hundred and Thirty Eight
S. Cooper
Acting Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned.
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

That she has not intermarried, but continues the widow of the above mentioned Joseph Sparkes
and that she now resides in New York City
and has resided there for the space of six months past, and that previous thereto
she resided in Tolland Co. Conn, to the truth of which statement I am fully satisfied.
Sworn to and subscribed, this 15th day
March - 1839, Eleanor Shanks
Sylvester Spencer
Notary Public.
Page 9

5962
New York city
Eleanor Sparks
widow of Joseph Sparks
who was a private
in the Conn. Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843 and ending 2 May 1843 when she died.

Certificate of pension issued the 10 day of August 1844 and sent to L Waldo Esq.
Tolland Conn.

[Act of March 3, 1843]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 262
rep [illegible] Aug 10, 44
Joseph Sparks Sep 14, 1834
Page 10

Connecticut Roll
1,248

Joseph Sparkes
Private
Connecticut Line
4
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on the 2nd of May 1818

Certificate of pension issued the 30 day of June 1818, and sent to Sylvester Gilbert, Esq. Tolland, Connt.

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818
3 months 30/31
4/30
$32.80

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818}
Three years

Willington Tolland

Discontinued under law 15 May 1820
Page 11

Notification sent to Elisha Stearns Esq.
Tolland Connecticut 29th July 1820
Page 12

Joseph Sparks
No. 1248 Willington
$760-42

June 18

Not entitled
Page 13

State of Connecticut, county of Tolland ss. County Court, or Court of Common Pleas June term 1820

On this 28th day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court, the same court being a court of record for said county, having the power of fine and imprisonment, Joseph Sparks aged 59 years, resident in Willington in the county of Tolland who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: to wit, three years as a private in a company commanded by Capt. Ichabod Hinckley, Col. Charles Webb, Reg. in the Cont line as stated in his original declaration now on file in the office of the Secretary of War , [illegible] date the 2nd day of May 1818 and that he has  [illegible] a pension and now  [illegible] or pension certificate.  [illegible] 12 '48
"And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818 and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or nay part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United State, in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not,  nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed"

Schedule
70 acres in Willington House & Barn
therein worth [illegible] 8.50 -- 59s
2 oxen 48,00 1 goat 16.00 1yearling heifer 6,00 1 Calf 3.00 73
1 horse 40,00 2 hags 10.00 7 Sheep & lambs 6.00 1 plow 2.00
18
1 Chain 1.50 1 yoke 100 [illegible] 1 ,25 
1 hoe [illegible] 3
1 horse 40.00  1 sythe .50
40
730
Houshold furniture - 30
760
Joseph Sparks
occupation a farmer infirm and unable to do but a very little farming, wife aged 53 years
been under the care of a physician for 18 years
still is, and is now unable to do any kind of
-4 children a son named origin aged 20 years
Page 14

named Roxalana  28 years of age on hire one
son named Soliman aged 13 years and a
son named Joseph 11 years of age, and
a daughter of Mr Lyon 11 years of age

Debts owing
Owing to Chester [illegible] 4% 23 
Owing to the [illegible] Society 25.00.
Do to [illegible] J. Palmer 16.00  
Do to Hasea Vinton 7.00
Do. to Tho. [illegible] 6.36 
Do to Revd. Jared Sparks 40.00
Do to Elan[illegible] Ruck 2.0
Do to Da[illegible] Palmer 2.0
Do to John Fuller 40.00
Do to Roxalana Sparks 100.00
Do G. N. Merrick 2.0
Do to Dammon Cushman 12.72
Do to Elijah Merrick 5.82
Do to Roswell Dunham 10.00
Do to Simon Carpenter 3.60

Total 1st column 123.01
Total 2nd column 196.72
Grand total 319.73
Deduction 40.00
Final Amount 279.73

Sworn to and declared by said Joseph Sparks on the 28 day of June 1820 before said Court, and it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is 760 dollars and 42 cents
and that the declarant [illegible] [illegible] 279 dollars 73 cents [illegible] that his [illegible] [illegible] and these of his family are as hereinto stated.

I, Elisha Sterns Clerk of the county Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tolland aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record of said Court.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 28th day of June 1820.
E. Sterns
Clerk of the county Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Tolland
Page 15

State of Connecticut ⎬
County of Tolland
In this eighth day of August AD 1838 personally appeared before the County Probate
for the District of Tolland now in session in Willington within said district, Eleanor Sparks a resident of said Willington in said County of Tolland aged seventy years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 7th AD 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay pensions to certain Widows"
That she is the widow of Joseph Sparks late of
said Willington deceased who according to her best knowledge and belief was a soldier in the war of the revolution and performed service for a period of about three years according to her best knowledge & belief and subsequently received a pension under the act of Congress of 1818 which was afterwards suspended in consequence
of his being the owner of a small amount of property.
As to the best evidence of her claim she would cifer the Commissioner as to the declaration of her late husband & the papers connected  herewith now in the pension office at Washington. As she was married to him subsequent to his rendering the service
for which he was pensioned and that she is unable to make a specific declaration as to the services he performed from her own personal knowledge and she must rely solely on the
testimony of others in support of those services. she has on the fourth unto adopted by the department on the 17th of July 1838 requesting a reference to the papers now on file
Page 16

She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Sparks at Willington aforesaid, on the on the 24th day of December AD. 1789 and that her husband the said Joseph Sparks died on the 26th day of January 1826 - and that she
was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and Ninety four (viz) at the time above stated. And that she has ever since remained unmarried, and is still a Widow -
Eleanor Sparks
Sworn to & subscribed
the day and year above written before me

In a Court of Probate holden at Willington in within and for the District of Tolland on the 8th of August 1838.
Present, Novatus Chapman Judge
Personally appeared the above named Eleanor Sparks who has subscribed the foregoing declaration and made solemn oath that the matters therein stated are true.
Novatus Chapman Judge Probate
for the District of Tolland

Novatus Chapman Judge of the Court
of Probate for land District do certify
that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Eleanor Parks for
a pension In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of Office
this 8th day of August AD. 1838
Novatus Chapman Judge
Page 17

(1000
The declaration of
Widow, Eleanor Sparks
asking for relief under the
act of Congress
of July 7th 1838

Act 7 July 38
5 years
married in 1789

[illegible]
2 years pri
80$
no deduction
died in 1826
Hen. O. Holt
Willington
Ct
Page 18

State of Connecticut
Tolland County Js.
Willington August 8th 1838
I Oliver Holt of Willington County &
State aforesaid of lawfull age ([illegible) aged
Sixty three years residing near the Widow
Eleanor Sparks who is the wid of Joseph
Specker late of said Willington deceased
who is this day preparing a declaration
to obtain the benefit of the law of Congress
passed July 7th 1838 state that I was known
to his the said Joseph receiving a pension
previous to his death from the general
goverment and I know that the said Joseph
Sparks deceased several years [illegible] and
that the Wid Eleanor is now single and
unmarried and has remained so ever
since the death of the said Joseph
and that she is the identical person
named in said declaration
Oliver Holt
Sworn and subscribed the day & year above written before me
Novatus Chapman Judge Probate for
the District of Tolland
Page 19

Willington August 29th 1838
I hereby certify that Novatus Chapman Esq. is Judge of Probate for the District of Tolland which includes Willington, and that he is also a Justice of the Peace, for Tolland County, and that his acts are entitled to full credit as such.
I further certify that Oliver Holt Esq. is a near neighbor of the Wid Sparks and his statement can to be relied upon.
Orrin Holt
Page 20

State of Connecticut
Tolland County
Willington Augt 4th 1838
This may Certify to all whom it may concern
that I find on record, Book B. for Marriages,
births & death Eighty fourth page for the Town of
Willington that Joseph Sparks and Eleanor Orcutt
were Lawfully joined in Marriage on the Twenty
fourth day of December one thousand Seven
hundred and Eighty Nine with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows the following is a true extract from the record
Attest Gideon N Merrick- Town Clerk
sir) Joseph Sparks and Eleanor Orcutt were
Lawfully Joined in Marriage December 24th 1789
I Gideon N Merrick above named depose and
Say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County [illegible] & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception of my certificate.
Gideon N. Merrick Town clerk

State of Connecticut
Tolland County Js.
Willington Aug 1838 personally appeared Gideon N Merirck a credible witness and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate & affidavit by him subscribed before me under . I certify that he is town clerk of said town of Willington. 
Daniel Glazier Justice of the Peace
Page 21

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland Js.
I Novatus Chapman Judge of the Probate Court
in the District of Tolland within said County of Tolland certify that Daniel Glasier Esquire before whom the within deposition was taken me those certificate is annexed thereto is a Justice of Peace within and for said County of Tolland, and I believe that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed my seal of Office and subscribed
my name this 30th day of August A.D. 1838.
Novatus Chapman Judge of Probate
on the District of Tolland
Page 22

6276 Act 43

Eleanor Sparks decd.
Con.
Act 3 March 43
80 from 4 March 43 to 2nd May 43 - to
Roxana Regan Soloman Joseph Daniel
& Caleb Sparks one surviving child

S. Waldo Esq.
Tolland
Con.
Page 23

said Willington, he having given Bonds according to law for the faithful discharge of his part.-
A true Copy of Record
Attest. Joel R. Arnold Clerk
-
Joel R. Arnold Clerk of the Court of Probate
the intent of Tolland in the County of Tolland
and State of Connecticut, do certify that Loren
P. Waldo of Tolland in said District in the Judge
of said Probate Court, duly commissioned & sworn
and that the above signature purporting to be his
are genuine. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal
of office, this 2nd day of June AD. 1824
Attest. Joel R Arnold Clerk
Page 24

State of Connecticut
Tolland County Probate Court District of Tolland
this 2d day of January AD. 1844
On this 2d day of January AD. 1844, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Tolland in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut aforesaid in open
Court Origin Sparks of the town of Willington in said Tolland and County aged forty three years, who first being duly sworn accrding to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears of a pension
one to Eleanor Sparks late of said town of Willington deceased under the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of
persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That he the said Origin Sparks is the son of the said Eleanor Sparks dcd. and is the administrator on her estate duly appointed in all respects according to law. That the said
Eleanor Sparks died at said town of Willington on the 2nd day of May 1843, and was at the time of her dimise the widow of Joseph Speaks of said town of Willington who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution and served therein as stated in an application of the said Eleanor Sparks made to obtain the benefits of the act
of Congress pased July 7, 1838, and upon which application the said Eleanor obtained a pension certificate entitling her to receive the sum of Eighty Dollars per annum for five years to wit, from March 4th 1836 to March 4, 1841, and which said sum was paid her
in accordance with the time of said certificate and that the said Eleanor is entitled to receive at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum from the fourth of March 1843 to May 22 1843 the time of death. That the said
Page 25

Eleanor at the time of her death left the following
named children to wit,
Roxana Sparks, Origin Sparks, Solyman Sparks
and Joseph Sparks all of said Willington and Daniel Sparks of the City and County of New York, & Caleb Sparks in the State of Vermont
Origin Sparks
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written. in open Court 
Before me John P. Waldo Judge.

At a Court of Probate holden at Tolland within and for the District of Tolland on this 2d day of January AD. 1844 Present Loren P. Waldo Esqr Judge
Origin Sparks of Willington in said District appeared here in Court and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing declaration by him subscribed.
And this Court finds that the said Origin Sparks is the administrator and one of the children of Eleanor Sparks late of said Willington decd that the said Eleanor died at said Willington on the 2d day of May AD. 1843; that the following named persons are her children, and that she left no others to wit, Roxana Sparks, Origin Sparks, Solyman Sparks, Joseph Parks
Daniel Sparks and Caleb Sparks, and that the said Eleanor Sparks had been inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty
Dollars per annum in five years, to wit, from March 4, 1836 to March 4, 1841 under the act of July 7. 1838.
Attest Loren P. Waldo Judge.

At a Court of Probate holden at Tolland within and for the District of Tolland on the 5th day of June AD. 1843
Present Loren P. Waldo Esq. Judge
This Court grants administration on the Estate of Eleanor Sparks late of Willington in said District deceased to Origin Sparks of
Page 26

New York City
356
Eleanor Sparks widow of Joseph Sparks, who was a Pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar '18 and who died on the 26th Jany. 1826 of Tolland in the state of Connecticut who was a priv in the compy. commanded by Captin Hinckley of the Regt commanded by Webb in the Conn. line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 dollars _ cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834

Certificate of pension issued the 19th day of Sept 38 and sent to and [illegible] O Holt Willington Con.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept $200.00
Semi-annual allowances ending $40.00
$240.00

{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by R [illegible] Clerk
Book A Vol. 1 Page 208

[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] 23rd March 1839
To [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] from 4th March 1831 April 1839. Notification S. Spencer New York
Page 27

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20063
Eleanor Sparks
Wid of Joseph Sparks
Priv. Rev. War
Indo
Act: March 3rd 1843
Index:-- Vol. M, Page 235
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 28

Letter of O. Holt  
Transmitting Sparks application for a pension
Page 29


Willington August 29th 1838
I have the honor to transmit
the application of the Wid Eleanor Sparks
and the papers connected therewith for a
pension
The family of Joseph Sparks deceased have always resided in this town since my earliest recollection. I was intimately acquainted with Mr Sparkes up to the time of his death and was knowing to his receving a pension from the governt.

I also know that his wife has ever
since his decease remained a Widow
Your Obt & humble Servant
Orrin Holt
Hon J. L. Edward
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
Page 30

Joseph Sparks
Letter for pension
Page 31

Willington August 1854

Dear Sir,
My son (the bearer of the letter which I
you) says you wish to know the date of the
marriage and deaths of my parents.
They were marred 1789 Dec. 25th
my father died in Feb 1826, and my
mother died in May 1843.
Any other information that you probably need that you cannot obtain from my brother the bearer of this letter. If you cannot obtain from him the necessary information, and there a chance of getting a pension please inform me.
Joseph Sparks
Page 32

New York 16th March 1839

Sir
I enclose the application of Mrs Eleanor Sparks
a pensioner under the act of 7th July 1838, at Eighty Dollars per annum, for the transfer of her name from the Agency in Connecticut, to that of this City,
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
Sylvester Spencer
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 33

J.L. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Mar 29
[illegible]
Page 34

Pension Agency
Hartford March 26, 1839

Sir,
In answer to your inquiry as to what time Eleanor Sparks a Pensioner in the toll of this Agency under the act of 7 July 1838 at Eighty dollars per annum was last paid.  I have to inform you that application for payment of her pension has not been made at this Agency.

I am very respectfully your Obt. Servt.
Saml. L. Pitkin Agent

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington