January 25, 2022

Pages 350-355
Whole Number 24

SPARKS FAMILIES IN ALABAMA - - 1850 CENSUS



In the March, 1956, issue of The Sparks Quarterly, pp. 127-28) appeared William Perry Johnson's compilation of the Sparkses listed on the 1830 census of Alabama. In 1830, Alabama had a total population of 309,527. This was more than twice what its population had been in 1820 (127,901). Settlers continued to pour into the state during the 1830's and 1840's, coming primarily from Virginia the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and other Southern states. Immigrants found that much of the soil in the new state was suitable for growing cotton, and farmers tended to specialize in this crop, importing food and draft animals from other states. A plantation economy rapidly developed, and by 1850 nearly 45 per cent of the population were slaves. The 1850 census recorded a total of 771,623 people, white and black, living in Alabama.

Mr. Johnson found that in 1830 there were 14 Sparks families living in Alabama--at least there were 14 persons named Sparks who were listed as heads of households. In these 14 households were enumerated (but not named) a total of exactly 100 persons, mostly children. These 14 Sparks families were scattered among 11 of the 36 counties.

by 1850, there were 52 counties in Alabama; today there are 67. When the 1850 census was taken, there were Sparkses living in 18 of these 52 counties. These 18 counties were: Benton, Cherokee, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Mobile, Morgan, Pickens, Russell, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, and Walker.

The importance of the 1850 census in genealogical research has been discussed in previous issues of the Quarterly. Not only was the head of each household named on this census, but also the name of each person living in the household was given, along with his age, birthplace, and sex. For those who were bread-winners, the census taker was also supposed to note their occupation and the value of their real estate.

The following record of Sparkses listed on the 1850 census of Alabama has been supplied by Mrs. Pauline Jones Gandrud, 311 Caplewood Terrace, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mrs. Gandrud is a professional genealogist who has spent many years copying and indexing all sorts of genealogical materials relating to Alabama. She has indexed the 1850 census of the state, as well as those for 1830 and 1840, and has copied records from nearly every Alabama courthouse. In transcribing census records, it has not been Mrs. Gandrud's policy to note the page number of the census nor the house number. Since we have given these data in previous 1850 census records published in the Quarterly, we engaged Mrs. Carrie Grant Heppen, our Washington researcher, to provide these additional data. We were pleased when Mrs. Heppen reported that Mrs. Gandrud's transcription had been accurately made, which means that we can be reasonably certain that every Sparks listed on the 1850 census of Alabama has been found.

In the following list, the page number refers to the page in the volume containing the particular county named. The two numbers given below the page number are those supplied by the census taker. The first was the house number, the second was the family number. These two numbers are often the same, but when two families lived in the same house, the sequences would thereafter be different. These numbers are useful to the genealogist because one can frequently judge how near one family lived to another by comparing the numbers. (Thus, in Fayette County the family of Russel Sparks obviously lived next door to the family of William Sparks, since Russel's numbers were 456-456 and William's were 457-457.) Opposite each person's name is given his age, whether male or female, and the state in which he was born. Where the census taker listed occupation and value of real estate owned, this information is also given.

In using the 1850 census the genealogist must realize that each family group actually represented a household and that besides the parents and children, a household might have included relatives and hired hands. In the following list, the entire household is given in each case just as the census taker recorded it. Thus, in Benton County, all members of the Smith familhy, in which Achsah E. Sparks was living, are named. Although this requires a good deal of space, it is thought that such a listing may at times aid in establishing relationships.

Since the full listing of the Sparkses on the 1850 census of Alabama will occupy about nine pages, it will be necessary to continue this report in the March, 1959, issue of the Quarterly.

Benton County, Alabama -- 1850 Census (Renamed Calhoun Cty)
Jacksonville, 72nd Regt., enumerated October 31, 1850, by Spartan Allen
(p. 656) Smith, E. T. 44 (M) South Carolina Lawyer $4,000
11-11 " Caroline E. 38 (F) Georgia    
  " Elizabeth E. 17 (F) South Carolina    
  Sparks, Achsah 17 (F) Georgia    
  Smith, Mourning C. 14 (F) South Carolina    
  " Jane T. 5 (F) Alabama    
Jacksonville, 72nd Regt. enumerated November 12, 1850, by Spartan Allen
(p. 660) Aderhold, Jacob J. 35 (M) North Carolina Carpenter $1,000
36-36 " Phebe C. A. 30 (F) " "    
  " Laura C. 9 (F) Alabama    
  " Mariah E. 6 (F) "    
  " Ida F. 2 (F) "    
  Sparks, Thompson 25 (F) South Carolina Appr. Carpenter  
29th Sub-Division, enumerated February 20 1851, by Spartan Allen
(p. 770) Sparks, Daniel 49 (M) South Carolina    
774-775 " Lucinda 37 (F) " "    
  " Marinda 17 (F) " "    
  " William 13 (M) Alabama    
  " Nancy J. 10 (F) "    
  " Martha L. 8 (F) "    
  " Charles B. 6 (M) "    
  " James 4 (M) "    
  Waddille, Matilda 27 (F) South Carolina    
 
Cherokee County, Alabama -- 1850 Census
27th District, enumerated November 16, 1850, by D. C. Turrentin [?]
(p. 152) Sparks, Henry 46 (M) Georgia Agriculture  
212-212 " Martha 43 (F) South Carolina    
  " Russell J. 20 (M) Georgia    
  " Wm. J. 19 (M) "    
  " Elizabeth A. 17 (F) "    
  Sparks, Nancy C. 15 (F) Georgia    
  " Margaret 13 (F) "    
  " John B. J. 10 (M) "    
  " Martha 6 (F) Alabama    
  " Sarah M. 3 (F) "    
  " Henry T. 1 (M) "    
  Kersawn, Mary 40 (F) Georgia    
27th District, enumerated December 9, 1850, by D. C. Turrentin [?]
(p. 180) Sparks, Matthew 50 (M) South Carolina Agriculture $150
410-410 " Elizabeth 49 (F) " "    
  " Nehamer 10 (M) Georgia    
  " Virgil 14 (M) "    
  " Jane 7 (F) "    
  Norton, Orpha 70 (F) South Carolina    
27th District, enumerated December 17, 1850, by D. C. Turrentin [?]
(p. 200) Sparks, Benjamin C. 31 (M) Georgia M. D. $200
560-560 " Mary 24 (F) South Carolina    
  " Susan 4   Alabama    
  " Mary 1 (F) "    
27th District, enumerated December 31, 1850, by D. C. Turrentin [?]
(p. 218) Sparks, Matilda 41 (F) Georgia    
675-675 " Sarah 11 (F) Alabama    
  " William 6 (M) "    
  " William Seaborn 2 (M) "    
[Note: Mrs. Heppen reports that from the handwriting of the above, it is difficult to determine whether the two-year-old was named William Seaborn Sparks or Seaborn William(s) ]
 
Fayette County, Alabama -- 1850 Census
15th Division, enumerated November 2, 1850, by J. H. Moon
(p. 125) Sparks, John 68 (M) North Carolina Farmer $1,000
114-114 " Nancy 54 (F) South Carolina    
  " Carrol 29 (M) Alabama   $1,000
  " John 19 (M) "    
  Philpman, Mary 19 (F) "    
15th Division, enumerated December 3, 1850, by J. H. Moon
(p. 175) Sparks, Russel 31 (M) Georgia Farmer $300
456-456 " Nancy 28 (F) South Carolina    
  " Sarah 5 (F) Alabama    
  " Barshaba 3 (F) "    
15th Division, enumerated December 30, 1850, by J. H. Moon.
(p. 176) Sparks, William 54 (M) Georgia Farmer $500
457-457 " Sarah 54 (F) "    
  " Jackson M. 20 (M) Alabama    
  " Milly 17 (F) "    
  " George 14 (M) "    
  " Phebe 11 (F) "    
 
Franklin County, Alabama -- 1850 Census
District No. 6, enumerated December 16, 1850, by W. W. Frost
(p. 409) Sparks, John C. 21 (M) Alabama Farmer $250
489-489 " Minerva 21 (F) "    
  " Elizabeth 9/12 (F) "    
District No. 6, enumerated January 1, 1851, by W. W. Frost
(p. 451) Sparks, Riley 40 (M) South Carolina Farmer $500
772-772 " Nancy 35 (F) Alabama    
  " Wm. 16 (M) "    
  " Daniel 12 (M) "    
  " John A. 10 (M) "    
  " James 7 (M) "    
  " Charles 4 (M) "    
  " Riley 2 (M) "    
  " Martha 6 (F) "    
  " Mary 15 (F) "    
(p. 451) Sparks, Willis 35 (M) South Carolina Farmer  
773-773 " Martha 30 (F) " "    
  " Marion 8   Alabama    
(p. 451) Sparks, William 68 (M) North Carolina Farmer $800
770-770 " Lucy 38 (F) " "    
  " Wm. 20 (M) Alabama    
District No. 6, enumerated January 2, 1851, by W. W. Frost
(p. 462) Sparks, Sarah 40 (F) Tennesee Farmer $600
850-850 " Martha 17 (F) Alabama    
  " Benjamin 16 (M) " Farmer  
  " Joseph 14 (M) "    
  " Mary 13 (F) "    
  " Elizabeth 10 (F) "    
  " John L. 7 (M) "    
  " James 4 (M) "    
  " Newton 2 (M) "    
District No. 6, enumerated January 7, 1851, by W. W. Frost
(p. 272) Sparks, Enoch 58 (M) Georgia Farmer $300
918-918 " Nancy 58 (F) South Carolina    
  " John P. 21 (M) " "    
  " Malinda 19 (F) " "    
  " Matilda 17 (F) Alabama    
(p. 472) Sparks, L. M. 35 (M) South Carolina Farmer  
919-919 " Nancy 37 (F) Tennessee    
  " John M. 8 (M) Alabama    
  " Amelia M. 3 (F) "    
  " Simeon 6/12 (M) "    
(p. 472) Sparks, Johnson 32 (M) South Carolina    
920-920 " Christina 25 (F) Alabama    
  " Agnes 4 (F) "    
  " Ariminta 2 (F) "    
District No. 6, enumerated January 8, 1851, by W. W. Frost
(p. 473) Sweet, Liberton 40 (M) South Carolina Carpenter $100
926-926 " Elizabeth 45 (F) Tennessee    
  " Calup 19 (M) Alabama    
  " Clay 14 (M) "    
  " Usilla 12 (F) "    
  " Rictor 7 (M) "    
  " William 5 (M) "    
  " Martha 8 (F) "    
  " Lalenia 7 (F) "    
  " Serry 3 (F) "    
  " Margaret 1 (F) "    
  Sparks, Mary 87 (F) New Jersey    
(p. 480) Sparkes, James 36 (M) Alabama Farmer $50
974-974 " Rebecca 37 (F) "    
  " Ellin 12 (F) "    
  " Andrew J. 1 (M) "    
 
Jackson County, Alabama -- 1850 Census
District 19, enumerated December 9, 1850, by H. L. Higgins
(p. 61) Sparks, Solomon 30 (M) North Carolina Grocer  
445-445 " Jane 25 (F) Tennessee    
  " John 1 (M) Alabama    
 
Jefferson County, Alabama -- 1850 Census
Jonesboro Beat, District No. 31, enumerated November 4, 1850, by L. G. McMillion.
(p. 291) Sparks, James 47 (M) South Carolina Farmer $74
31-31 " Mary Ann 42 (F) Georgia    
  " John H. 19 (M) Alabama Laborer  
  " Lavinia 17 (F) "    
  " Sarah 15 (F) "    
  " Wm. 13 (M) "    
  " Mary M. 11 (F) "    
  " Nancy 9 (F) "    
  " James H. 7 (M) "    
  " Samuel H. 5 (M) "    
  " Eliza O. 1 (F) "    
 
Lauderdale County, Alabama -- 1850 Census
District No. 1, Lauderdale Factory
(p. 268) Berry, Rebecca 38   Georgia Cook  
520-520 Scott, John 19   Alabama Weaver  
  " Nancy 15   "    
  " William 10   "    
  " Marthy 18   "    
  Sparks, Nancy 68   Georgia    

Page 375-379
Whole Number 25

SPARKS FAMILIES IN ALABAMA -- 1850 CENSUS


(Editor's note: It should have been pointed out on page 351 of the December, 1958, issue of the Quarterly that Benton County in Alabama is now called Calhoun County. Also, on page 355, in the transcription of the family of James Sparks in Jefferson County, the age and sex of Eliza O. Sparks was omitted; she was 1 year old.)

Lawrence County, Alabama - 1850 Census
8th District, enumerated November 4, 1850, by J. B. Speake.
(p. 739) Sparks, William 26 (M) Alabama Farming $150
77-77 " Elvira 22 (F) "    
  " Richard 4 (M) "    
  " Elizabeth 2 (F) "    
(p. 739) Sparks, Rutha 50 (F) Virginia   $400
78-78 " Thomas W. 22 (M) Alabama Farming  
  " Stephen 18 (M) " "  
  " Eli 15 (M) " "  
8th District, enumerated December 7, 1850, by J. B. Speake.
(p. 833) Sparkes, Thomas 48 (M) North Carolina Merchant $600
732-732 " Julina 35 (F) Tennessee    
  " Almira 14 (F) Alabama    
  " Thaddius 11 (M) "    
  " John 8 (M) "    
  " Titus 6 (M) "    
 
MOBILE COUNTY, ALABAMA - 1850 Census
The city of Mobile, enumerated January 21, 1851, by J. M. Park.
(p. 790)
1752-1871 Sparks, Elmira 26 (F) North Carolina    
1872 Rollings, E. J. 24 (M) South Carolina Coachmaker  
  " Margaret 20 (F) Alabama    
  " Ann 9 (F) "    
  " Laura 4 (F) "    
The city of Mobile, enumerated February 20, 1851, by J. M. Park.
(p. 833) Sparks, Joseph 22 (M) England Carpenter  
2121-2186 " Mary Ann 23 (F) Alabama    
The city of Mobile, Enumerated January 21, 1851, by J. M. Park.
(p. 461) Adair, John T. 36 (M) Alabama Farmer $2,000
488-475 " Sarah 22 (F) "    
  Obrian, Creede 17 (M) " Labourer  
  Sparks, Robert A. 22 (M) Tennessee Tanner  
 
Pickens County, Alabama - 1850 Census
Yorkville, enumerated October 25, 1850, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 1) Sparks Thomas 53 (M) South Carolina Carpenter  
7-7 " Finady 16 (F) Alabama    
Southern District, enumerated September 19, 1950, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 17) Sparks, Nath'l. 52 (M) South Carolina Farmer $500
5-5 " Mary 57 (F) " "    
  " Phelix 24 (M) Alabama Farmer  
  " Nancy 22 (F) "    
  " Sarah 17 (F) "    
  " Richard 15 (M) "    
  " Wm. 8 (M) "    
  " Elizabeth 12 (F) "    
  " John W. 5 (M) "    
(p. 17) Sparks, George S. 22 (M) Alabama Farmer  
6-6 " Rebecca A. 24 (F) "    
  " Frances 2 (F) "    
  " Ellen E. 6/12 (F) "    
Southern District, enumerated September 20, 1850, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 22) Richardson, Isaac 28 (M) Tennessee Farmer $1000
44-42 " Martha 22 (F) Alabama    
  " Robert 4 (M) "    
  " Richard 1/12 (M) "    
  Sparks, Isaac 29 (M) " Farmer  
Southern District, enumerated October 28, 1850, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 140) Sparks, Sparks [sic] 70 (M) South Carolina Farmer  
870-902 " Sarah 60 (F) " "    
  " Bird 33 (M) " " Farmer  
  " James 22 (M) " " Farmer  
  " Elenor 30 (F) " "    
  " Nancy 28 (F) " "    
  " McCune 3 (M) " "    
  " Lucy 6/12 (F) " "    
Southern District, enumerated November 4, 1850, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 155) Richmond, William T. 53 (M) South Carolina Farmer  
989-1025 " Nancy 53 (F) " "    
  " John 30 (M) " "    
  " Absalom 18 (M) Alabama    
  Sparks, T. 16 (M) " Laborer  
Southern District, enumerated November 8, 1850, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 173) Peebles, Mary 53 (F) South Carolina   $200
1125-1163 " Lucy 17 (F) Alabama    
  Peebles, Mary 15 (F) Alabama    
  " George 12 (M) "    
  Sparks, John 20 (M) Georgia    
  " Martha 18 (F) "    
Southern District, enumerated November 13, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 191) Sparks, John 48 (M) South Carolina Farmer $1000
1269-1308 " Elizabeth 45 (F) North Carolina    
  " Mary A. 14 (F) Alabama    
  " Eli 12 (M) "    
  " Manerva C. 10 (F) "    
  " Catharine 8 (F) "    
  " Didamy 6 (F) "    
  " Mathew 4 (M) "    
  " Wm. 2 (M) "    
Southern District, enumerated November 21, 1850, by C. B. Sanders
(p. 191) Sparks, James 23 (M) Tennessee Farmer  
1270-1309 " Adaline 19 (F) North Carolina    
  " Margaret 2 (F) Alabama    
 
Russell County, Alabama - 1850 Census
(No district shown) Enumerated December 14, 1850, by John W. Phillips
(p. 111) Sparks, Green 27 (M) Georgia Farmer  
771-771 " Ann 20 (F) Alabama    
(p. 112) " William 3 (M) Georgia    
  " Martha 1 (F) "    
 
St. Clair County, Alabama - 1850 Census
District No. 40, enumerated November 16, 1850, by Irby Wooley
(p. 224) Sparks, Jonathan 37 (M) Georgia Farmer  
131-131 " Amelia 35 (F) "    
  " Wm. 17 (M) " Farmer  
  " Celia 15 (F) "    
  " Sarah 13 (F) "    
  " David 10 (M) "    
  " Minerva 8 (F) Alabama    
  " Carolina 6 (F) "    
  " Josiah 4 (M) "    
  " Martha 1 (F) "    
 
Sumter County, Alabama - 1850 Census
Livingston, enumerated December 27, 1850, by Danl. L. Ayers
(p. 662) Allison, Robert G. 58 (M) South Carolina Farmer  
1124-1153 " Ladocia A. 50 (F) North Carolina    
  " Robert J. 31 (M) South Carolina    
  Allison, John F. A. 18 (M) South Carolina    
  " Mary V. 16 (F) Alabama    
  " Henrietta 7 (F) "    
  " William 2 (M) "    
  Sparks, Julia A. 29 (F) South Carolina    
  Moore, Catharine 18 (F) Alabama    
 
Talladega County, Alabama - 1850 Census
Talladega District, enumerated November 8, 1850, by J. A. Hogan
(p. 828) Sparks, David 56 (M) North Carolina Farmer $500
883-904 " Milly 59 (F) South Carolina    
  " Abel 22 (M) Georgia Laborer  
  Rice, Matilda 16 (F) "    
Talladega District, enumerated December 21, 1850, by J. A. Hogan
(p. 974) Sparks, Stephen 41 (M) South Carolina Pedler  
1852-1890 " Phebe 40 (F) North Carolina    
  " Jas. PF 13 (M) Alabama    
  " John 12 (M) "    
  " Wm. 9 (M) "    
  " Abner 7 (M) "    
  " Laura A. 4 (F) "    
  " Alexander 2 (M) "    
 
Tallaposa County, Alabama - 1850 Census
Township No. 19, enumerated September 20, 1850, by Eli T. Pouncey
(p.15) Sparks, N. F. 39 (M) Tennessee Tavern Keeper $2000
105-105 " Sarah E. A. 28 (F) Alabama    
  " Virginia T. 13 (F) "    
  " Frances D. 10 (F) "    
  " Nathan F. 4 (M) "    
  Goolsby, James T. 22 (M) Georgia Tailor  
Township No. 24, enumerated January 6, 1851, by Eli T. Pouncey
(p. 227) Sparks, Mary A. 37 (F) South Carolina   $100
1682-1682 " Wm. J. 19 (M) Georgia Farmer  
  " Sarah 16 (F) "    
  " John N. B. 13 (M) Alabama    
  " Idris L. 12 (M) "    
  " Alisson W. B. 8 (M) "    
  " Mary M. 7 (F) "    
  " Angelline 5 (F) "    
Township No. 24, enumerated January 9, 1851, by Eli T. Pouncey
(p. 244) Sparks, George T. 50 (M) South Carolina Farmer $50
1811-1811 " Martha P. 41 (F) Georgia    
  " Richard 19 (M) "    
  Sparks, Thomas 14 (M) Georgia    
  " Ann 12 (F) Alabama    
  " George T. 10 (M) "    
  " Margarett 7 (F) "    
  " James Polk 2 (M) "    
 
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama - 1850 Census
District No. 1, enumerated October 16, 1850, by E. A. Powell
(p. 322) Sparks, Ann R. 28 (F) Georgia   $600
376-376 " James A. 8 (M) Alabama    
  " Richard W. 6 (M) "    
 
Walker County, Alabama - 1850 Census
District No. 11, enumerated December 5, 1850, by John K. Gamble
(p. 585) Sparks, Samuel 32 (M) Alabama Farmer $350
315-315 " Frances 26 (F) "    
  " Mary 7 (F) "    
  " Thomas 5 (M) "    
  " James 2 (M) "    
  " Lidda 18 (F) "    
(Note: This census taker used the word "inmate" frequently on this census under the heading "profession"; what he meant by the term is not known.)
District No. 11, enumerated December 6, 1850, by John K. Gamble
(p. 587) Sparkes, Elijh 24 (M) Alabama Farmer  
325-325 " Elizabeth 20 (F) "    
  " Nancy 2 (F) "    
  " Mary 1/12 (F) "    

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