Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19391, for John Sparks, New Jersey
Page 1

[illegible] Sharks, John  A19391
or
[Illegible] Sharkes  Lorrna or Lorrana
Page 2

3034

New York Rolls

John Sparks 

Private
New (unknown word) Regiment
'75 Dec till November 76

In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence the 17th of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 of Sept 1818
and Sent to John C. Walker
Greenwich Washington City-

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 4 mths and 
18/30--36.80
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th March 1819--48--
                                                          $84.80

77 Frigate Hancock 
Capt Manly

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.

Continued

Easton, Washington City
Page 3

4541.
Pennsylvania, Phila
Lovina Sparks
widow of John
who served in  the Revolutionary 
war, as a Seaman

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 36 Dollars and ----Cents. per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Mch 1849 and sent to (signature)
Chas Wise
Philadelphia, Pa


Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under (torn here)  February 2, 1848, Page 268 Vol. (torn here)
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress on the 4th of July 1838. Entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
State of Pennsylvania
of Patton County Ss
on this twenty fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and forty personally appeared Before the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Com. Pleas now holding a court in and for the said County. Lovina Sparks, a resident of Hebron Township in the County of Patton, aged seventy one years who being first duly sworn according to the 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 1838. Entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of John Sparks who was a soldier in the army of the United States in the Revolution, and that the said John Sparks was a pensioner and drew a pension as a soldier up to the time of his death the fourteenth of March one thousand Eight Hundred and twenty five,-
She further declares that she was married to the said John Sparks on the tenth day of June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six, that her husband the aforesaid John Sparks died on the fourteenth day of March Eighteen
Page 5

Hundred and twenty five, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen Hundred and ninety four viz. at the time above stated-Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written Before

(signatures)
Lovina Sparks
Timothy Ives
Seneca Freeman     (Associate Judges)

Patton County Ss

I hereby certify that Timothy Ives judge and Senica Freeman are acting asosciate (sic);
Judges and the above signatures is genuine as witness my hand and Official seal at (unknown word) this 23th day of May 1825
(signature)

Isaac Strait Proth..
Page 6

Family Record

Births

John Sparks was born March the 24 1750

Vina Brewster was born August the 9th 1769

Dameris Sparkes was born April the 9th 1790

Rachel Sparkes was born June the 11 1793

Thankful C Sparkes was born Feb 28, 1796

Elisha B. Sparkes was born March the 25. 1798

Ozias Sparkes was born July 29 1800

Wm. B Sparkes was born March 11 1803

Sary M Sparkes was born July the 24, 1805

John Sparkes was born *here it looks like August was written and that it was changed to June) 22, 1810,

Harriet A Sparkes and Charlotte A. Sparkes
was born Nov 1st, 1812

Abram Sparkes was born July 28th, 1814
Page 7

Marriages

John Sparkes and loviana was married june 10 1786

Rachel was married the 11 1815

Thankfull Carmen was married july the 20 1812

Elisha B was married Sept 1820

Dameris was married Sept the 4 1821

Harriet Sparkes was married to Abel Brewster May, 9, 1826

Wm B Sparkes was Married to Rachel Hine July, 31, 1828.

Ozias Sparkes was Married to Wethe. B. Barnett, March 22, 1822

John Sparkes was Married to Nancy Ackman, Dec, 1829

Charlotte A.g. Sparkes was Maried (sic) to Isaac Blodget Jan (illegible number) 1830

Starcet A. Sparkes was Maried (sic) to Joseph Fuller July 1837
Page 8

Births

Ozias S Standley
was born Oct 11th, 1828

Thomas J. Sandley was born Oct 29 1833

Jane Standley

Elizabeth L Sparkes was born April 20th 1831

David B Sparkes was born April 20th, 1833

Ozias J. Sparkes was born May 14 1837
Page 9

Deaths


John Sparkes who Departed this Life the 14 March in the 76 year of his age   1825


Abraham who Departed this Life November in the fourth month of his Age in the year of our Lord 1814.
Page 10

John Sparks, Affidavit

No 20

Admitted
Direct to the care of John C Walker-Greenwich Washington County, N. York
Page 11

State of New York
Washington County, Greenwich
April 17th, 1818- John Sparkes being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary army of the United States of America on the Continental establishment. 
That he enlisted as such soldier in the month of December 1775 in the Town of Salem in West New Jersey, under Capt. Davis Duboies and in Col. Newcomb's Regiment for the term and period of nine months, that he marched with the said Capt. Duboies in with s- company to Philadelphia, where he continues then untill (sic) the spring following when he marched in said regiment and in Genl Hound's Brigade to Staten Island, retreated from thence and marched to New York, thence to Long Island--and that often thus, and the landing of the British at said Long Island he with the American troops retreated again 2 months to Flatbush and fighting an said retreat,--thence left the Island and went to New York--thence to Kings Bridge at Fort Washington, where the army made a stand--had a warm action with the enemy--repulsed the enemy three times-that for this and leaving a respectable force at said Fort, your deponent with the remainder of the English Neighborhood in New Jersey, passing up by the way of Fishkill and (unknown word) the North River--that after this Fort Lee being taken he
Page 12

retreated, (unknown word) the river and lay at Cornell's Ferry where he continued untill (sic) December, when he marched to Trenton, engaged the enemy-took nine hundred Hessian arms and-went from there to Lancaster where he received his discharge., having served out three months more than the time of his enlistment--and your deponent further saith that his said discharge was (unknown word) not written
And your deponent further saith, that after this and in the month of June as he believes he enlisted at Boston under Capt. John Manly as a mariner on board the Frigate Hancock of thirty-six guns--that he immediately sailed with the crew and on a cruise--that they were out about nine days when they espied the British Fleet of (unknown word) consisting of eleven sail, that they lay to, and as the British came up, the said Frigate attacked them, boarded and  (unknown word) their crews and sent them into Port--that one of the said vessels was a Brig loaded with arms --and your deponent further saith, that after this on the same day our said Frigate came up with the British convoy a fifty gun ship, the Rainbone, commanded by Capt. John Hill, that the - Frigate had an engagement with the said Ship--fought five glassed, when she truck, but before the man were secured, an English twenty gun Sloop of War came up and gave us action, even then in (unknown word) were obliged to strike her and surrender as prisoners of war--that your deponent was then carried with the Capt. Manly's crew to Hollifax there to Quebeck on the Ship  (unknown word) of twenty guns , (unknown word) in was in Jail, when they remained sixteen
Page 13

months--that after this your deponent with the said and were carried to England, taken before the Mayor and condemned to be hung--that after this he with the said crew were carried to Plymouth and confined in Mill-Prison, where they were held in s-confinement untill (sic) after the Peace, when your deponent with the said crew were set at liberty--that after this your deponent worked his passage home to America on board the ship Nancy, which was a Scotch Ship--and your deponent further saith, that he is now sixty six years old, and that from his reduced situation in life he is need of assistance from his country for support-and that he now lives in the Town of Easton County of Washington and State of New York; Am that he has no other residence now (unknown word) his power (?) of his said services.
(signature)
John Sparks


State of New York
Washington County of Greenwich 17th April 1818
 
When personally appeared before me John Sparks the signer of the above declaration and affidavit and made oath that the same was there--And hereby certify that it does fully appear to my satisfaction  that the said John Sparks  did do service as stated in his said affidavit against the common enemy, in the Revolutionary war, and he is in my opinion a proper subject for a Pension under the "Law of the United States providing persons, engaged in the Land and Naval service of the same in the revolutionary war."-And I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me hereto the secretary for
Page 14

Jonathan Sprague
One of Judges of the
Court of the Common Pleas in and for the County of Washington

State of New York
Washington County

I Daniel Shepherd lethe. of the Court of Commons Pleas of the County of Washington do certify that Jonathan Sprague Esq by whom the above certificate was made is one of the Judges of said Court acting under the authority of the said State and that the above is his signature

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 22nd day of April 1818

(signature)

D Shepherd lethe.
Page 15

In the matter of John Sparks
Pensioner
(Unknown word) and
No 3034


Continue
Page 16

District of New York
Washington County Ss

On the Day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record for the said county which proceeds according to the course of Common law--has a Jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount Keeping a record of their proceedings and having a seal John Sparks aged Seventy years resident in Easton in said County living first duly sworn according to the law doth on his oath Declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows in the Marine Corps-under Capt. John Manly ship Hancock-taken prisoner with Capt Manly and Kept a prisoner till after the war when he was released in England-as stated in his original Declaration dated 17th April 1818 as appears by his pension certificate number 3004 dated 25th September 1818

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 any part through with intent thereby so to Diminish it as to being 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 States in the revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any persons 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 viz:

1 bow
1 yearling heifer
1 calf
3 plates
1 pewter platter
1 pewter tea pot
2 milk pans
1 (illegible)
6 spoons
10 knives and forks
1 two quart tin pail
1 Tea Kettle
1 pot
1 wash bowl
tongs
1 chair
1 chest 
1 little wheel
2 great wheels
1 axe
2 hoes
1 shovel
1 neel(?)
1 (illegible)- my (unknown word) clothing and  
(unknown word) excepted 
income none but my pension
Page 17

My family consists of myself--who am able to labor most of the time
and my wife Vina aged fifty-two-Ozias Sparks aged -19
Maria Sparks aged (14?) weakly-unable to do much
John Sparks-(illegible) aged 10 years
Angeline and Cordelia-aged 8 years
The whole number of my children is fourteen
I have, before receiving my pension been obliged several times to obtain relief from the town
Subscribed and sworn this 2nd day of June
1820 open Court 

(signature)
John Sparks

(signature) 
D. Shepherd clk

I Daniel Shepherd  clerk of the County of Common Pleas in and for the County of Washington/having the Court in the foregoing Declaration mentioned, I do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the scheduled there to annexed are truly (copies?)- And further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of this property exhibited in the foresaid schedule is Seventy five Dollars and seventy cents-In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on the second day of June 1820
(signature)
D . Shepherd
Page 18

To what time was John Sparks act 1818. N. York Roll, Cast paid?


4th March 1825
2H
Page 19

Rev Widow, &c.

File No. 19391
Lovina Sparks
widow of
John Sparks
Seaman Rev war
Act: Feb 2nd 48
Index:-Vol M, Page 235
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 20

Lovina Sparkes
of John
Pennsylvania
suspended
Dec (unknown word) 16 June 1840
to Hon S.W. Morris




Act, July 1838
Page 21

2859
Pennsylvania       Phila

Lovina Sparks
widow of John Sparks
who was a Seaman
in the U.S. Navy
for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 36 dollars-cents per annum , to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Nov. 1843. and sent to (unknown word)
Coudersport
Penn

Act of March 3, 1843.
Recorded in Book
Vol. 1
Page 136.
Page 22

Panel 1

4541 New York 
(Pennsylvania Phila crossed out)
John Sparks
N.J.
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Seaman increased from 36 dollars per an.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of July 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of April 1851 and sent to 
Arad Joy
Ovid New York

Panel 2
(looks like an address that was cut off)

28 To Albany NY
from Sept. 1852
(unknown word) to C W Bennett
Page 23

Panel 1
let 19 Sep 1840
W. Ellis same say May 4 1843

Panel 2
5633
Pennsylvania
Lovina Sparks
widow of John Sparks, dec@-
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 14 March 1825
of Potter Co in the State of Penna
who was a Seaman in the Frigate commanded
by Captain Manly of the (illegible) of Hancock in the U.S. Navy line for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 36 Dollars---Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of July
1840, and to Hon Saml W. Morris, 46. Reps

Arrears to the 4th of March 1840 $144.00
Semi= annual allowance ending 4 Sept 40 $18.00-----
$162.00

Act July 7, 1838.

Recorded by D.M. Cardy, Clerk
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 165
Page 24

July 11. 1840
Pa
Sparks


Edwards Esqr
Pension Office

Honr. S. W. Morris
Page 25

July 11/40


Sir

I hand you herewith a document in relation to the claim of Lovina Sparks now residing in Potter Co pa

(unknown word).

Saml W. Morris


JL Edwards Esq
Commons of Penn
Page 26

Lovina
widow of John Sparks
Adm for 9 mos service
as a Seaman
$30 per ann
Act 7 July 1838
Penna Roll

Send cert: to Hon. S.W. Morris
H.R.

died 14 March 1825-
no deduction
Page 27

(there is a squiggly line going through the document, suggesting it was nullified)

Payable semi=annually on the 4th March and 4th September at New York City,
by Shepherd Knapp
Agent.

No payment can be made on an original certificate, until the arrival of one or the other of the above dates of after the issuing certificate. 

Registered in Book F.
Vol. 5, Page (illegible), by
D.M. Cardy

Clerk
Page 28

Coudersport
Sept 13

James L Edwards
Court of Records (?)

Washington D.C.
Page 29

Coudersport, Potter Co
Penna Sept 9th 1840

James L Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,

Mrs. Lovina Sparks who is the widow of John Sparks Dec (illegible)--a certificate from the war Depart. dates July 16th 1840, Recorded by the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 2, Page 165. by which she is entitled to receive $36 per annum.

She made application under the Act of the 7th July 1838 which after other things provided that the widow shall receive "the annuity or pension which might have been allow. to her but (unknown word). (This last statement was underlined). 
In this case Mr. John Sparks, (illegible) departed this life a pension of $96 annually, as a Soldier of the Revolution and by the present certificate. I see he is mentioned as a Seaman, alto, in fact, he was both. His pension was payable at New York. I am apprehensive that there has been some error at the Department. Will you have the goodness to investigate the subject and inform me why it is that she is not entitled to the same pension that her husband was.

Yours respectfully,
Crosby W. Ellis
Page 30

Coudersport
April 28

Commissioner of Pensions

Washington,
D.C. 

Lovina Sparks 
(unknown word) 38
Page 31

Coudersport, Potter Co.
Penna, Apr. 26th, 1843

Dear Sir,

Mrs. Lovina Sparks of this County, the widow of a Soldier of the Revolution, received a Pension under the act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838, which terminated in Sept. 1841.
She understands that a joint Resolution passed both houses of Congress as its (two unknown words) by which she should again be entitled to her pension. Will you inform me whether such is the fact.

Respectfully,
Crosby W. Ellis
Page 32

Philadelphia 12 mon 23 1848

J L Edwards

Dear Sir

Enclosed is a declaration of Lovina Sparks for a Pension which has been sent to me (supposing I could draw the money for her which I learn is not the case I therefore enclose it to you and ask the favour that you will have the proper papers forwarded to her direct care of of John S Mann Esq, Coudersport, Potter, Co, Penna,

Respectfully,

Chas Wise
Page 33

Lovina Sparks


Payment to be made at Philadelphia by 
James R Snowden Esq

Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Pennsylvania

Payable on the 4rh September and 4th March

Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1848, Page 268, Vol.2


(signtaure)
Leo Jenkins

Clerk.
Page 34

                     WIDOWS PENSION

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848,
      Levina Sparks
widow of John Sparks
who was a seaman in the revolutionary war,
is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of thirty six dollars and___________cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
            Given at the Department of the Interior
              this 24th day of March
    one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
                          T. Ewing
                        Secretary of the Interior
Examined and Countersigned,
                   J L Edwards
                Commissioner of Pensions
Page 35

(unknown word) to $9h (unknown word) $36 per annum (unknown word) July 1848



Phila

A. Joy
Ovid
NM
Page 36

Increase under Janu
Revolution of July 1 '48
Sir
I enclose Declaration of Lovina Sparks
& her pension certificate, for Increase.
Most Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Arad Joy
April 4th 1851
Hon Jas E Heath
Coms of Pensions
Page 37

E. C. Dale. Pension Agent
Philade May 25, 1853
Page 38

Pension Agency
Philadelphia, May 25, 1853
Sir:-
Lovina Sparks, a Pensioner on the roll of this
Agency, Act Feb 3, 18, at $96 per annum has been paid
by me to Septem 4, 1840.  As directed by your letter
of yesterday, I have marked her name on my books as
transferred to the Albany, N.Y. Agency, and will cease to
pay her thereafter
I am very respectfully
your obt servt
E.C. Dale
Pension, agt,
L.P. Waldo, Esq
Commr of Pension,
Washington City
Page 39

Washington June 15/40
Sir
I enclose for examination the
accompanying papers just received
from Mrs Sparks
respectfully
Your obt
Saml W Morris
J L Edwards Esqr
Comm of Penson
Page 40

June 15. 1840
Pa
J L Edwards Esqr
Pension Office
Hon S.W. Morris
HR
Page 41

7123
Lovina Sparkes
of John
Pennsylvania
Hon S. W. Morris
H. R.
Page 42

Personally appeared Ozias Sparks June 8th
1840 and on being duly affirmed according to
law says that the accompanying record is a
genuine one, and that the entries were made
by Abner A. Tallman about the time they purport
to have been made and further saith that 
the said Lovina has not since been married.
I was Affirmed before the Subscriber a Justice
of the peace for the Township of Eulalia Potter
County Pa the 8th day of June 1840
W. C. Butterworth J.P.
Potter County ss | this is to certify the above subscribed name
W.C. Butterworth is an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for the County of Potter and was at the above date and that 
the said hand write is genuine as
Witness my hand and seal of said
Office at Coudersport this 8th day of
June AD 1840
Isaac Strait Prothy
Page 43

Caullispon
July [illegible]
Hon S. W. Morris M.C
Washington
DC
Page 44

Potter County SS
Personally appeared before me Ezra L Graves Esquire
one of the Justices of the Peace of the County of Potter and
State of Pennsylvania Ozias Sparkes and Wm. B.
Sparks of the Township Hebron in said County
who after being duly affirmed according to Law,
saith that the Claimant Lovina Sparkes is the
identical widow of John Sparkes who served
in the army of the revolutionary war who received
a pension there for and the said John Sparkes
received his pension under the New York agency
and that he the said John Sparkes resided in
the Town of Easton and County of Washington and
State of New York at the time he first received
his pension
Ozias Sparks
Mm B Sparks
Affirmed and subscribed
July 2. 1840
before me Ezra L Graves J.P.
Potter County ss | This is to certify that Ezra L Graves
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and
for the County of Potter and also was at the
[crossed out] date of the above and the signature [crossed out]
is genuine as witness my hand and seal
of said Office at Coudersport this 3d day of
July 1840.
Isaac Strait Prothy
Page 45

3442
Lovina Sparks
$36 per an
To the Pensioner at
Condersport
Penna
Page 46

State of Pennsylvania ss
On this twenty sixth
day of June 1843, personally appeared before
Ezra L. Graves Esquire, a Justice of the Peace in
and for the County of Potter, State aforesaid,
Lovina Sparkes a resident in Hebron township
in the County of Potter, aged Seventy
four years who being first duly sworn according 
to law doth on her oath make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the benefits
of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed on the 3d day of [crossed out] March 1843
granting pensions to widows of persons
who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of John Sparks, who
was a private sailor during the Revolutionary 
war and that she received thirty
six Dollars annually under the
act of Congress of July 7th 1838.-
She further says she is still a widow.
Leviana Sparks
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and
year above written before Ezra L. Graves
a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of
Potter, State of Pennsylvania
Ezra L Graves J.P.
Potter County ss 
[seal drawn] | I Ezra Davis Esquire
 | a Justice of the Peace within
 | and for the aforesaid County
do certify that the above named declarant
is [illegible] well known to him & that his signature
above is genuine [crossed out]
Ezra L Graves J P
Page 47

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Potter County SS.

I Samuel Haven Prothonotary of
said County do hereby certify that
Ezra L Graves Esquire is and was at
the date of the within certificate a justice
of the Peace acting in and for the
County of Potter in Conformity to the laws of
Pennsylvania and I further certify that the
within is his true and genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of office at Coudersport
the tenth day of July A.D. one thousand
hundred and forty three
Saml Haven
Prothonotary
Page 48

                    DECLARATION
             _________________________
State of Pennsylvania )
County of Potter        ) S.S.
 On this 12tht day of March 1847 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Lovina Sparks a resident of said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposes and states that she is the widow of John Sparks deceased, who during his natural life was a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of Congress of 1818
__________________at the rate of Ninety Six dollars per annum and that she is (illegible) the receipt of thirty six dollars per annum.
      Now the object of this declaration being made is in order tho open a claim at the same her husband received claiming on the evidence filed in her late husband's case, and under the Resolution of Congress approved the 1st July 1848
 She further declares she is still a widow
Sworn and subscribed before me on this 12 day of March 1851   Lovina Sparks (signature)
W. B. Graves, JP
I do hereby certify that Lovina Sparks is well known to me, and that she is the widow of John Sparks who was a Revolutionary Pensioner. 
                             W. B. Graves
Page 49

State of Pennsylvania
County of Potter, SL
 I, Saml Haven, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county do certify that Wm. B. Graves before whom the within writing was executed and whose certificate is thereunto (illegible) on the day of the (illegible)
Thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Wm. B. Graves and do verily (illegible) that the within signature from posting to be his are genuine. (illegible) testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Coudersport the 24th day of March 185 (?)
                         Saml. Haven
                                     Prothy.
Page 50

                            Clara Potter Co Pa.
                             Jany 2nd 1851
To the Commissioner of Pensions: ---
                                          Dr Sr-----
There  are in this vicinity some persons that are interested in the bounty land law of last session of Congress   One is an old man who served as he says some 8 or 10 months in the war of the revolution but I think 5 mt only 4 at one time & 1 at another all found on record    His discharge is lost     The other services now rendered at sundry times, as guard of the stores at Fredricksburgh, or alarm parties, etc. etc. He also stood as minute-man a considerable length of time   His father also served at one time one month and afterwards having lost his health and being unable to do duty in the ranks was employed as conductor of teams for considerable time. I am not advised how long I think 2 or 3 mos finding(?) his own horse etc.
Neither of these men, father of son ever rec'd a pension. Is not this man Issac Phillips entitled to something in his own right and also in right of his father?
There is a widow (Lovinia Sparkes widow of John Sparkes deceased) who is a revolutionary pensioner  She now receives a pension of $36.00 per anum on account of Sea Service of her husband  he served also on land and before his death which was in 1825 on 6 (illegible) $96.00 a year on account of land service
Page 51

his father also rendered some service
Now what I wish to know is what these persons are entitled to and what they have to do to obtain it   They are both old persons and in need of any thing that may be due them. From some years acquaintance with them I have no hesitation in saying that I think any statements they may make are entirely reliable.
I shall  esteem(?) it a personal favor to receive any papers, documents & copies of acts in relation to pensions that it may be convenient for you to forward me and your early attention to the above queries will much ablige
                              Yours (illegible)
                                               W.B. Graves
Page 52

From Phila
to Atty V M (?)
from Sept 2



C

C.W. Bennett atty
Present

for Transfer
Page 53

State of New York
County of Erie              On this 13th day of May A.D, 1833, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, personally appeared Lovinia Sparks and made oath in the form of law that she is the identical person who as the widow of John Sparks deceased (who was a seaman in the Revolutionary war) is a pensioner of the United States under Act of February 2 1848 at the rate of $96. per annum upon the Roll of the Pennsylvania agency at Philadelphia. That she has lately removed from the State of Pennsylvania and now resides in the State of New York where she intends to remain, and wishes her pension to be made payable at Albany, N.Y. in the future. That the following are her reasons for removing from Pennsylvania to New York viz that she lived with her son in the State of Pennsylvania and that he moved into the state of New York in February 1832 and she moved & came with him.
                  Lovinia Sparks
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written & I certify that I am not interested
James C. Paul

State of New York
County of Erie
                    On this 13th day of May A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, John N. Pratt who is to me known as a credible witness, and being duly sworn says he is acquainted with Lovinia Sparks who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit - that he has read the same and knows the said Lovinia Sparks now present
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to be the identical person therein named further (illegible) not. 
Subscribed & sworn & before me the) John N. 
day & year first above mentioned      )       Pratt

James C. Paul Justice of the Peace

State of New York)
County of Erie      ) (illegible)
                   I, William Andre Clerk of the County of Erie and of the courts thereof do hereby certify that James C. Paul Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were made and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature (illegible) genuine  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 14(?) day of May 1853
                                  Wm. Andre  Clerk
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DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 2nd February 1848 entitles an Act making further provision for surviving Widows of Soldiers of the Revolution
State of Pennsylvania
County of Potter
On the eighth day of December personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Potter Lovinia Sparks a resident of Clara township in the county of Potter and State of Pennsylvania aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law,doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.  That she is the widow of John Sparks who was a Seaman and the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of 17th June 1844
Thirty six _________dollars.
She further declares that she is still a widow. Lovinia Sparks
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
    W.B.Graves Justice of the Peace
State of Pennsylvania)
County of Potter       ) Clara Dec. 8th 1848
I, W.B. Graves a Magistrate in the county above maned, do hereby certify, that I have the most satisfactory evidence, viz my own personal knowledge, that Lovinia Sparks who this day appeared before me, and made oath to the truth of the forgoing declaration, is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Given under my hand at Clara Township on the day and year above written.
                           W.B. Graves J.P.
I, Samuel Haven Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas for county, certify that W.B.Graves is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this Eleventh day of Dec. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight
                   Sam'l Haven
                             Prothonotary
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Know all men by these present that I Lovinia Sparks of Clara Township in the County of Potter a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint Charles Wise of the city of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania my true and lawful attorney for me in my name to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in Philadelphia My pension from the fourth day of March 1848 to the third day of September 1848 inclusive  Witness my hand and seal this eighth day of December 1848
W.B.Graves )  Witness to
John Sparks)   my signing        Lovinia Sparks
State of Pennsylvania
County of Potter
Personally appeared before me this eighth day of December A.D. 1848 Lovinia Sparks to me personally known to be the same person that executed the above power of Attorney and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed
Witness my hand and seal this day and year above written
             W.B. Graves  J.P.
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Hon. J.C.  Calhoun Esq
          Secy. at War
           Washington City






In The Matter  of
  John Sparks
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Hon. J.C. Calhoun Esquire
                          Sir,
                            The case of John Sparks was returned from the Department for further evidence of service and discharge, he not appearing on the Rolls - By (illegible) his declaration in order to obtain a pension, you will perceive his case interesting &  his service meritorius, and his suffering long and wretched. He still thinks he can be traced in the Rolls of his land service, or more particularly in the Roll of Capt. Manly of the Hancock crew -  The important service of Capt. Manly and crew, to the government at the time - and their common and general suffering in prison in Plymouth, has been proverbial, & the individuals named at the time was notorious in the U. States - He feels that he has complied with the law allowing pensions & if he fails - he fails with the utmost regret as his family is large. Hes destitute of property & worn out
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age of infirmity -- Therefore in his behalf I must intreat you to cause further search of the Rolls in his case, and from the facts of his service so generally known, perhaps it may be an exception to the common rule -
                    I am Sir with much
                    Respect Your Obt. Servant
                        John C. Walker