Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7580, for John Sparks, North Carolina
Page 1

Sparks, John          S
Page 2

16060
North Carolina
John Sparks
Wilkes in the State of North Carolina who was a priv in the company commanded by Captain Walton in the company commanded by Col. Armstrong in the North Car: line for 8 months, 21 days
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 29 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of June 33 and sent S. F. Palter Wilkesboro N.C. 
Arrears to the 4th of March 33-  
Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 Sept  
58
14
$72.50

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
recorded by William Miller Clerk,
E Vol. G. Page 55
Page 3

Order to pay 12 Oct 1837
Letter to Pen age 14 Nov 1837
Order to pay 29 March 1838
Page 4

18580
John Sparks
Wilkes County
N.C.
2.21.
Adams as present
8 mo. 21 days
$29.00
8.12.16
Apl 30.33
P.363
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of John Sparks
of Wilkes County in the State of North Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 79
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period- Volunteered in 1775 or 1776 
"    "  1781
Duration of service two or three weeks
1 month. 3 months, 1 month, nearly 3 months
Rank- Private, Captain, Private. private, private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom  he served. Gen. Rutherford
Col. Martin Armstrong
Capt. G. (illegible)
Col. Buy Henderson
5. In what battles was he engaged? None named
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilkes County N.C.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defect
CERTIFY that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned
J. Rutherford
Examining Clerk
Page 6

State of North Carolina
County of Wilkes

On this 30th day of October 1832 personally appear
in open Court before the Court of Pleas & quarter Session
of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina, now sitting
John Sparkes Esquire a resident of the County of Wilkes
State of North Carolina aged seventy nine years, who
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his
oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he was born on the 28th day of February 1753 in
the County of Rowan in the State of North Carolina where
he lived until he removed with his Father to what is
now Wilkes then Surry County N.C. about the year 1772
He resided in Wilkes until the commencement of the
revolution, and about the year 1775 or 1776 he volunteered
himself and entered the service of the United States in
Captain Jesse Waltons company of minute men who
had volunteered for two years soon after the company
was organized, they were called upon to go against the
Scotch & Tories who were said to be committing great
depredations in the Country around Cross creek or Fayetteville - 
at the time the company marched this ? happened to be from home, but as soon as he
returned, and being informed that they had gone, he
took his horse ? with all speed, but did not
Page 7

overtake them; having heard that the tories were suppressed
and the troops on their return, he immediately turned about
& returned home-- soon after this he was ordered out
by Captain Walton, to take command of a scouting party
& scour the country around through Surry & Wilkes &
suppress the tories or to bring in such as was supposed to
be disaffected - in these little expeditions he supposes he
was in service two or three weeks - After remaining at
home some months, orders were received from Colo
Martin Armstrong to repair and rendezvous at the
head of the Yadkin, preparatory to marching against
the Cherokee Indians - They did rendezvous at or near
the head of the Yadkin, and there remained until they
built Fort Defiance, where Genl Wm Lenoir now lives during
which time this deponent had the command of
the Company, Capt Walton having been appointed a
Major about the time the Fort was completed, orders were received from Major Walton for the company to return
home and prepare for an expedition against the Chero
Indians - This deponent and the company under his command
did return home having been gone for about a month and prepared with all possible despatch to go against the Indians, and in a few days
marched to head quarters at the Pleasant Gardens
where they joined Genl Rutherford, at which
time the company under the command of this deponent was attached to the company under the com
Page 8

mand of Capt Bengn Cleveland, and the entire command
transferred to Capt Cleveland after organizing at head
quarters, they marched immediately to the Cherokee town,
of Watauga, Cowee, Oconaluftee, Hiwassee, Tuckasegee &
Big Chota, with some others not recollected. This deponent
was directed while in the nature? with others, to act
as a spy and on one occasion their party fell in with
a small body of Indians on the Hiwassee, with whom
they had an engagement in which they killed ten &
took three prisoners, without losing any men on their side
after this little skirmish they returned to the main
army with their prisoners and delivered them up to
Genl Rutherford - The main body of Indians having
fled and abandoned the country, it was thought unnecessary
to pursue them, and after burning their House,
destroying their corn, and committing such other depredations upon them as they could, they returned to North Carolina, they were discharged and returned
home -- having been gone about three months after
the return of this deponent, he was again called out
and served in various short expeditions against the
Tories, but the particular periods of each cannot now
be recollected - about the time that Lord Cornwallis
was approaching North Carolina from the South, this
deponent was again called upon and marched under the
command of Colo Benjamin Herndon, in pursuit
of Lord Cornwallis as he was on his march from
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Cowansford in the Catawba to Guilford, and occasionally  arranged and kept in check his out posts and
foraging parties, one of whom they captured amounting
to twenty or thirty men and detained them prisoners until
they were sent off to Virginia-- this deponent and the
troops with whom he was associated, pursued their
march until they reached Genl Greens army at the
high rocks on Haw River, where they remained several
days after which Genl Green discharged them, and they
returned home having been gone in this expedition
at least one month, in a few days after their return
home, this deponent was again called out with others
to march in pursuit of Lord Cornwallis who had
retreated to Wilmington-- They marched immediately
and rendezvoused under Genl Rutherford some distance
on this side of Fayetteville-- after organizing, Genl Rutherford
detached near four hundred mounted men, of whom
this deponent was one, and placed them under the command of Colo Smith & Majr Graham, and ordered them
to proceed down on the South side of Deep & Cape Fear
Rivers until they reached Wilmington, while he (Genl.
Rutherford) with the balance of the troops crossed the
river and proceeded down on the north side -previous
to their arrival at Wilmington they heard that Cornwall
had left the place, but that he had left a portion of
the British Troops to keep possession of the Town
Page 10

Before however they reached the town a small detachment was sent ahead to reconnoitre and ascertain the situation of the places. When they returned, it was ascertained that most of the troops were on the northern side of the river, but that a small body had been left on the south to act as a piquet guard, upon whom Col Smith marched and surprized [sic], and succeeded in killing and taking every man, without surprizing the camp. In a day or two Gen. Rutherford arrived on the north side of the river, about which time the news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis was received, upon which the British troops immediately evacuated the town and made their escape down the river in the night. The smallpox having been left in Wilmington by the British, it was deemed unsafe for the troops to enter the place and a direction was given to the troops to return home or remain with Gen. Rutherford. Many did return home, of whom this deponent was one -- having been gone in this expedition nearly three months (& having volunteered for three months would have remained that length of time, but for the smallpox breaking out as before mentioned)

The Capture of Lord Cornwallis, being considered the closing scene of the war, this deponent was not again called upon to perform any other service. 

This deponent has continued to reside in the County
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of Surry & Wilkes ever since. He has no documentary evidence to prove his services, nor never received a written discharge that he has any recollection of. He refers to Captain Sam'l Johnson [content struck by author; "& Reuben Sparkes"] as a witness who can testify to part of his services -- and he also refers to Captain Sam'l Johnson & Reuben Sparkes as persons to whom he is well acquainted in his neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services.

This deponent has no record of his age, but the information herein given on that subject was derived from his mother many years ago, and he believed it to be correct.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid,
R. Martin Clk.   John Sparkes

On this day and year aforesaid, personally appeared in open court before the Court aforesaid, Capt Sam'l Johnson who being first duly sworn according to law, deponeth & saith that he served with John Sparkes Eiq the above
Page 12

applicant during the three month tour performed under Gen'l Rutherford to the Cherokee Nation, and further that the said three months tour as set forth & specified in the foregoing declaration as having been performed by the said John Sparkes Esqr was performed by him.

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
R. Martin Clk.     Saml Johnson

We Saml Johnson & Reuben Sparkes residents of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Sparkes Esqr who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reported and believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
R. Martin Clk.    Saml Johnson
Reuben Sparks

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department
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that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Capt Saml Johnson and Reuben Sparkes who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Wilkes, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

G Walsh Ch Ct

I Robert Martin Clerk of the Court of [unsure: Pteus?] & quarter Septom of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Sparkes for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 30th day of October 1832.

R Martin Clk.
by B.W.Cap D. Clk.

[written along the right margin]
John Sparkes
18580
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May 5, 1938
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mr. Theodore E. Merritt
1958 - 42d Avenue
Oakland, California

JOHN SPARKS
S. 7590
BA-J/MLB

Dear Sir:

The data which follow in regard to John Sparks are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 7580, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

John Sparks was born February 25, 1753, In Rowan County, North Carolina. The names of his parents were not given. About 1772, he moved with his father to that part of Surry County which was later Wilkes County, North Carolina.

While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he volunteered in 1775 or 1776 as a minuteman in Captain Jesse Walton's North Carolina company, and served from that period, at various times until the surrender of Cornwallis, amounting in all to eight months twenty-one days, as private and Indian spy under Captain Jesse Walton and Benjamin Cleveland, Colonels Martin Armstrong, Benjamin Herndon and Smith in the North Carolina troops; was in an expedition against Cherokee Indians, burned their towns, Wautauga, Cowee, Hiawassee, Tuckaseegee(?), Big Chota and others, and was in several engagements with the Indians. He stated, also, that when Captain Walton was promoted to major, he (John Sparks) had command of the company until they were attached to Captain Benjamin Cleveland's company.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed October 30, 1832, while a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina. At the time of his application, he stated that ever since the Revolution he had lived in Surry and Wilkes Counties, North Carolina.

It is not shown whether John Sparks was ever married.

In 1832, one Reuben Sparks was living in Wilkes County, North Carolina, his relationship to the soldier not stated.
Page 15

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John Sparks, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

John Sparks
Certificate #16060
Issued June 25, 1833
Rate $29 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

-2-
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John Sparkes Esq.
Amended Declaration
Page 17

State of North Carolina
Wilkes County
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned,
a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid,
John Sparkes [Sparks] Esqr, who being duly sworn, deposeth
and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as
to the precise length of his service but according to
the best of his recollection he served not less than
the periods mentioned below, and in the following
grades -- For Eight Months and twenty one days
I served as a Private, and for such service I claim
a pension -- 
This deponent further saith by way of amendment
to the foregoing declaration, that there is no clergyman residing in his neighborhood, nor any within
a reasonable distance whose Testimony he could procure in favour of his veracity and their belief of his
services as a soldier of the Revolution --
Sworn to & subscribed this 23d day of May
1833 before me --
M. H. Wheatly J.P.
John Sparks
Page 18

I Robert Martin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions of the County of Wilkes State of North Carolina hereby certify that Martin H Wheatly Esquire[,] before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, is, and
was at the time of witnessing the same an acting Justice
of the Peace for said County -- and that the signature
appended thereto purporting to be his, is his genuine
official signature
Given under my hand & Seal
of Office affixed this 23d
day of May 1833.
R. Martin Clk
by
[Illegible]
Page 19

F. B. JACOBS
REGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEER
R. 1 BOX 175
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
PHONE 153R2

August 26th 1930

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

{Written and stamped in upper right corner}
Check -- $1.00
FINANCE DIVISION
BOOK KEEPER'S DESK
SEP 3 1930
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
{Illegible] notified to refund $1.00 Sept 19, 30 [illegible initials]

Dear Sirs:

John Sparks (1755-1834) of Wilkes Co.
North Carolina was on the pension
roll in 1833.

I am anxious to learn all I can
about him and his family, and
and writing you for the information 
you have.

He married Margaret Hampton in
1779.

Thanking you I am
Very sincerely
(Mrs.) [sic] F. B. Jacobs

[Date stamp]
Pension
Sep
U. 2  S.
1930
Service
Page 20

Wilkesboro N.C. 25th May 1833
James L Edwards Esqr.
Dear Sir
I herewith forward the declaration
of John Sparks & Alexander Gilreath, amended
so as to obviate the objections taken by the War
Department - and have the honor to be
very respectfully your
most obedient,
S. F. Patterson
Page 21

[Handwritten note at top of letter] See further correspondence with him in [illegible, possibly Reg.] File July 1939 under John Sparks 

April 12, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. W. L. Pinkerton              JOHN SPARKS
Centerville                            S. 7580
Tennessee                            BA-J/MLB [Illegible 
                                                               Initials]
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you designate John
Sparks as the soldier in whom you are most interested and state
that he served in the Revolutionary War as private in Captain
William Jackson's company, Colonel Charles Cotesworth Pinckney's
First South Carolina Regiment.
You are furnished herein the record of the only John Sparks
found in the Revolutionary War records of this office who served
from a southern state. The data therein were obtained from the
papers on file in pension claim, S. 7580, based upon his service
in the Revolutionary War.
John Sparks was born February 25, 1753, in Rowan County, North 
Carolina. The names of his parents were not given. About 1772, he
moved with his father to that part of Surry County which was later
Wilkes County, North Carolina.
While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he volunteered
in 1775 or 1776 as a minuteman in Captain Jesse Walton's North Carolina
company, and served from that period at various times until
the surrender of Cornwallis, amounting in all to eight months twenty-one 
days, as private and Indian Spy under Captains Jesse Walton and
Benjamin Cleveland, Colonels Martin Armstrong, Benjamin Herndon and
Smith in the North Carolina troops, was in an expedition against the
Cherokee Indians, burned their towns, Wautauga, Cowee, Hiawassee,
Tuckaseegee(?) [sic] [Tuckasegee], Big Chota and others, and was in several engagements
with the Indians. He stated, also, that when Captain Walton was
promoted to major, he (John Sparks) had command of the company until
they were attached to Captain Benjamin Cleveland's company.
Page 22

Mr. Theodore E. Merritt
1952 - 42nd Avenue
Oakland, California

May 5, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Daniel Merritt, W. 817
John Sparks, S. 7580
BA-J/MLE

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters of recent date, in which you
request the Revolutionary War records of Peter Cartwright who in 1840,
was living with Samuel Cartwright in Dewitt County, Illinois; James
Ewing, then a resident of Edgar County, Illinois; Daniel Merritt,
and John Sparks who was living with one Reuben Sparks in 1840 in Wilkes
County, North Carolina.
Because of the large number of requests for Revolutionary War data,
and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such
information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request which
requires so much time and research.
The records of Daniel Merritt and John Sparks are furnished you
herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 23

September 19, 1930
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MMHF:MLB
Mr. F. B. Jacobs
R. 1, Box 175
Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 7580, that John Sparks
was born February 25, 1753, in Rowan County, North Carolina.
About 1772, he moved with his father, whose name is not
shown, to Surry County (the part which was later Wilkes
County), North Carolina.
While a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina, he
volunteered in 1775 or 1776, as a minute man in Captain Jesse
Walton's North Carolina company.
He served from that period, at various times, until the
surrender of Cornwallis, in all, eight months and twenty-one
days, as private and Indian spy under Captains Jesse
Walton and Benjamin Cleveland, and Colonels Martin Armstrong,
Benjamin Herndon and Smith, in the North Carolina troops;
was in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, burned
their towns, Wautauga, Cowee, Hiawassee, Tuckaseegee (?) [sic][Tuckasegee],
Big Chota and others, and was in several engagements with
the Indians. He also stated that when Captain Walton was
promoted to major, he (John Sparks) had command of the
company until they were attached to Captain Benjamin
Cleveland's company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 30, 1832, while a resident of Wilkes County, North 
Carolina. At the time of his application, he stated that
ever since the Revolution, he had lived in Surry and Wilkes
Counties, North Carolina
Page 24

It is not stated whether he was ever married.
One, Reuben Sparks, was living in Wilkes County, North 
Carolina, in 1832, no relationship stated.
The above data is furnished you without charge and your
remittance of one dollar ($1.00) will be returned to you
in due time.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner

Finance Division
notified to return
$1.00
Sept. 19, 1930
[Illegible initials]
Page 25

Beulah B. Dowling
1704 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina
Madam:
March 28, 1929
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S.7580, it appears that John Sparks was
born February 25, 1753 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
About 1772, he moved with his father, whose name is
not shown, to Surry County (the part which was later Wilkes
County, North Carolina.
While a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina he
volunteered in 1775 or 1776 as a minute man in Captain
Jesse Walton's North Carolina Company.
He served from that period, at various times until
the surrender of Cornwallis, in all eight months and twenty-one 
days, as private and Indian Spy under Captains Jesse
Walton and Benjamin Cleveland and Colonels Martin Armstrong,
Benjamin Herndon and Smith in the North Carolina Troops;
was in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, burned their
towns Wautauga, Cowee, Hiawassee, Tuckaseegee (?) [sic][Tuckasegee], Big Chota
Page 26

Rev. and 181
Wars Section
[M]MHF

and [words obscured] was in several engagements with the Indians.
He also stated that when Captain Walton was promoted to Major,
he (John Sparks) had command of the company until they were
attached to Captain Benjamin Cleveland's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 30, 1832 while a resident of Wilkes County, North 
Carolina. At the time of his application he stated that
ever since the Revolution he had lived in Surry and Wilkes
Counties, North Carolina.
It does not appear that he ever lived in South Carolina
or Georgia and since you stated your ancestor was born
in North Carolina, lived in South Carolina during the Revolution 
and later in Washington County, Georgia, it was
presumed that this was not the soldier whose record you
desired.
It is not stated whether he was ever married.
One Reuben Sparks was living in Wilkes County, North 
Carolina in 1832, no relationship stated.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 27

Rev. and 181
Wars Section
[M]mhf/.eel

[Obscured] to your request of ___, received ____
[for] a statement of the military history of John Sparks
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) [parenthetical insert struck out] application for pension on file in this Bureau.  S.F. 7580
[typed over preceding line] nd others, an

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
1775 or 1776
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
Served at 
various 
times 
amounting to
8 mos. 21 days
RANK.
Pvt. [Private]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Jesse Walton
Benjn [Benjamin] Cleveland
[check mark]
[check mark]
COLONEL.
Martin Armstrong
Benjamin Herndon
Smith
STATE.
N.C.
Battles engaged in, expedition against the Cherokee Indians.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wilkes Co, N.C.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 30 1832. His cl. was al [ends here]
Residence at date of application, Wilkes Co, N.C.
Age at date of application, Born Feb 25 1753 in Rowan Co. N.C.
Remarks: There is no data relative to wife or children.
Respectfully,
6-2856
Commissioner.
Page 28

April 12, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. H. K. Grantham
1106 - 9th Avenue, North
Columbus, Mississippi
JOHN SPARKS
S. 7560
BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records
of John Sparks of near Cartersville, Georgia, and of Job Cooper from
Chester District, North Carolina.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon
service in the Revolution of a Job Cooper. Such claims are the source
of data furnished by this office in regard to soldiers of the Revolutionary
War.
You are furnished herein the record of the only John Sparks found
of any southern state. The data therein were obtained from the papers
on file in pension claim, S. 7580, based upon his service in the
Revolutionary War.
John Sparks was born February 25, 1753, in Rowan County, North 
Carolina; the names of his parents were not stated. About 1772, he
moved with his father to that part of Surry County which was later
Wilkes County, North Carolina.
While residing in Wilkes County, North Carolina, John Sparks
volunteered in 1775 or 1776 as a minuteman in Captain Jesse Walton's
North Carolina company, and served from that period at various times
until the surrender of Cornwallis, amounting in all to eight months
twenty-one days, as private and Indian spy under Captains Jesse
Walton and Benjamin Cleveland, Colonels Martin Armstrong, Benjamin
Herndon and Smith in the North Carolina troops, was in an expedition
against the Cherokee Indians, burned their towns, Watauga, Cowee,
Hiawassee, Tuckaseegee (?)[sic][Tuckasegee], Big Chota and others, and was in several
engagements with the Indians. He stated, also, that when Captain
Walton was promoted to major, he (John Sparks) had command of the
company until they were attached to Captain Benjamin Cleveland's
company.
Page 29

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed
October 30, 1832, while a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina.
At the time of his application for pension, he stated that ever since the
Revolution he had lived in Surry and Wilkes Counties, North Carolina.
It is not stated whether John Sparks ever married.
In 1832, one Reuben Sparks was living in Wilkes County, North 
Carolina, his relationship to the soldier not shown.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and
address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John Sparks,
you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
John Sparks
Certificate #16060
Issued June 25, 1833
Rate $29 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
- 2 -
Page 30

John Sparks was allowed pension on his application executed
October 30, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Wilkes County,
North Carolina. He stated that ever since the Revolution he had
lived in Surry and Wilkes Counties, North Carolina.
It is not shown whether John Sparks ever married.
In 1832, one Reuben Sparks was living in Wilkes County, North 
Carolina, his relationship to the soldier not stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name
and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John
Sparks, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting
Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
John Sparks
Certificate #16060
Issued June 25, 1833
Rate $29 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
- 2 -
Page 31

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON March 14, 1939

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:
IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/MMHF: MLB
Mr. W. L. Pinkerton
Centerville
Tennessee
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request a list
of Revolutionary War soldiers with surnames Cooper and Sparks who
served from the State of North Carolina, and to know in what branch
of the Army they served.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and
the limited clerical force available for that particular work, it
has been impossible to prepare, for release, lists of Revolutionary 
War soldiers whose names are borne on the pension records of that war.
If you have in mind one Cooper and one Sparks Revolutionary War
ancestor in whom you are particularly interested, and will furnish
their full names, a search of the records will be made gladly in
your behalf. As much as possible of the following data in regard
to each will aid materially in identification of their records,
should they be on file: approximate dates of birth and death, places
of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of wife
or widow.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
John Sparks, enlisted in William Jackson's Company,
in Regiment of Col. Charles Coetsworth [sic][Cotesworth] Pinckney,
(1st South Carolina Regiment). He was in service at
seige of Charleston. Any information concerning
him or his family will be greatly appreciated.
W. L. Pinkerton
Page 32

W. L. PINKERTON
LAWYER
CENTERVILLE, TENN.
March 15, 1939
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
WLP: BW
I am just wondering if you will be kind enough to
furnish me any data you have concerning John
Sparks, who served in the Revolutionary War as 
a private in Captain William Jackson's Company
in First South Carolina Regiment, commanded by
Col. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney,
I am especially anxious to have his age, whether
he was married at the time of his service, which
was from November 1, 1771 to January 1780. Any
information you may send me will be appreciated,
and I shall be glad to send you a check to cover
any charges you may make.
I am asking for this information, because he is
said to be my great-great-grandfather.
Very truly,
W. L. Pinkerton
W. L. PINKERTON
WLP:BW

RECEIVED
Mar 17 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV.
[ILLEGIBLE] 12
Page 33

RECEIVED
FEB 20 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV.
[ILLEGIBLE] 15
Columbus, Miss
1106 9th Ave. North
Feb. 16, 1939
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C
Dear Sir,
Do you have on your files 
a list of the Revolutionary soldiers
who served from Georgia and
North Carolina?
I wish to know if the
names of John Sparks (from near Cartersville
Ga.) and Job Cooper from (Chester district) N.C. are on that list.
These men were two of my 
great-great-great grandfathers and
I am seeking information concerning 
their war records.
According to "family" records which
have been kept these men served in
the Revolution and I would greatly
appreciate any help you could give me
to verify this as I would like to join
the D.A.R. if I could establish credentials.

Thanking you sincerely
Mrs. H. K. Grantham
1106 9th Ave. North
Columbus, Miss.
Page 34

RECEIVED
Apr 18 1938
[Illegible]
1958 42d Ave.
Oakland, Calif.
Mar. 21, 1938
The Veterans Administration
Washington 
D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please furnish me a resume of the Revolutionary
services, and any other data, of Danl. Merritt and Jno.[sic] Sparks.
The book U. S. Census of Rev. Pensioners (Washn., 1841),
p. 141, gives: Wilkes Co., N. C., Jno [sic] Sparks, aged 97, livg.
on June 1, 1840, with Reuben Sparks, household head.
Danl. Herritt's name also appears on p. 141.
Thanking you, I am
Yours truly,
T. E. Merritt
Theodore E. Merritt
Page 35

RECEIVED
Apr 18 1938 
MAIL SUB-DIV.
[Illegible]
1958 42d Ave., Oakland, Calif.
Feb. 6, 1938
Veterans Administration
Washington 
D. C.
Gentlemen:
The U. S. Census of Revolutionary Pensioners (Washington,
1841) shows a Peter Cartwright, 81, living with Saml. Cartwright,
in Dewitt Co., Ill. Also, Jas. Ewing, residing in Edgar Co., Ill.
Will you please furnish me as complete information regarding
these two veterans, their services, their families, etc., as may
be possible from your files?
Thanking you, I am
Yours very truly,
T.E. Merritt
Theodore E. Merritt
Page 36

Spark [Sparks]

PENSION
O
APR
U. 4 S.
1917
OFFICE
Page 37

Rev Sec
H

State Center Iowa
April 1st 1917
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Will you kindly give me the Pension
Record of John Sparks Born 1755
died 1834 a Private in North Carolina
Militia his name is on Page 121 Vol. 3
N.C. Pension List.  if you possibly can
please give me the names of his children
I shall be very appreciative
J. W. Sparks
City Clerk
State Center
Iowa.
Page 38

1906 July 17. Hist. to
J. R. McHargue, letter in
S. 2388 James Martin, Ind. Wars
_________________________________
1917 Apr. 12. History to
J.W. Sparks.     [illegible]
_________________________________
1929 Mch 28. Hist to Beulah [illegible]
Dowling. [illegible]
_________________________________
1930 Sept. 19. Hist fur.
Mrs. F. B. Jacobs [illegible]
Div. notified to refund [illegible]
_________________________________
1938, May 5-- Hist. to T.E. Merritt [illegible]
1939. Apr. 12.-- [illegible] to Mrs. H.K. Grantham
"   "   "   "   "   W.L. Pinkerton [illegible]

7380
INVALID.
---
File No. 75-80
John Sparks
Priv Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. [illegible], Page 333 [or 353]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 39

1704 Gervais St.,
Columbia, S.C.
Jan. 4, 1929.
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
My ancestor John Sparks, born in N.C.,
lived in S.C. during the Revolution, and later
moved to Washington County Ga.
John Sparks was a soldier during the
Revolution. Will you kindly give me any data
you have with reference to him i.f his name
appears upon your records.
This information is desired for application
for membership in D.A.R. and anything of
a family nature will be greatly appreciated.
Yours very truly
Beulah B. Dowling
The Public Records of N.C., Vol. XXII page 87
as "N.C. Revolutionary Pensioners as reported
in 1837, John Sparks, private."
I am sorry to disagree with you but
John Sparks did draw a pension and I am
anxious for any family information the
pension record may give.
Please do me the favor to look again.
Beulah B. Dowling
(Mrs. Robert L.
Page 40

Rev & 181
Page 41

3-2027
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
March 22, 1929
Beulah B. Dowling
1704 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina
Madam:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau
fail to afford any information in regard to John Sparks as described by
you.
Respectfully,
E.W. Morgan
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner

PENSION
L
MAR
U. 29 S.
1929
Page 42

Beulah B. Dowling
John Sparks
Page 43

3-2027
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
March 22, 1929
Beulah B. Dowling
1704 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina
Madam:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau
fail to afford any information in regard to John Sparks as described by you. b. N.C. lived in S.C. 
[illegible] Rev, later to Washington
C0. Ga.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner