February 18, 2022
Pages 1256
Whole Number 67
THE FAMILY BIBLE OF ELIJAH SPARKS, born July 28, 1778
Recently we learned that a family Bible that had once been the property of Elijah Sparks (born 1778) had been owned at a later time by a man named Samuel Clark of Linwood, New Jersey. A letter addressed to Samuel Clark happily fell into the hands of Miss Emma Clark of 318 Poplar Avenue, Linwood, New Jersey. Miss Clark is a granddaughter of Samuel Clark, to whom we had written. Samuel Clark, we learned, has been dead for many years.
Upon receiving our letter, Miss Clark called her aunt, Mae Babcock of Pleasantville, New Jersey, to inquire whether she had ever heard of a Sparks family Bible. Mrs. Babcock had not only heard of such a Bible, but reported that she now owned it. Miss Clark very kindly examined this old Bible and in the process determined that Elijah Sparks, who had once owned it, was her great-great-grandfather.
From the entries in the Bible, copied for us by Miss Clark, it is apparent that Elijah Sparks, who was born in 1778, married twice. His first wife was named Nancy and died between 1811 and 1815. His second wife was named Rebecca. The oldest daughter of Elijah Sparks, whose named was Mahala, married William Clark. The births of the children of William and Mahala (Sparks) Clark are also recorded in this Bible.
At this time, our knowledge of Elijah Sparks is limited to the information contained in the Bible which he once owned. We assume that he lived in New Jersey. Following is the record as copied for us by Miss Clark:
This Bible belongs to 1.2.1.4.1.1.2 Elijah Sparks, born 28th July 1778.
1.2.1.4.1.1.2.1 Mahala Sparks, daughter of Elijah and Nancy Sparks - born March 17, 1797.
1.2.1.4.1.1.2.2 Mary Ann Sparks, daughter of Elijah and Nancy Sparks - born 1811.
1.2.1.4.1.1.2.3 Sally Ann Sparks, daughter of Elijah and Rebecca Sparks - born May 30, 1815.
1.2.1.4.1.1.2.4 John Merret Sparks, son of Elijah and Rebecca Sparks - born February 23, 1818.
John Clark, son of William and Mahala Clark, born September 22, 1823.
George Clark, son of William and Mahala Clark, born April 7, 1827.
William Clark, son of William and Mahala Clark, born August 1832.
Susanna Clark, daughter of William and Mahala Clark, born March 26, 1835.
Samuel Clark, son of William and Mahala Clark, born June 19, 1829.