In 1793 (William) Matthew Sparks was killed in GA by an Indian Raid. He was survived by his wife Sarah and the families of 13 children. In the early 1800's Sarah and 6 of the families moved to Tn and settled in Wilson County. Prior to 1830 3 of the sons and a grandson had moved to Carroll County.

In the 1830 census the 3 sons (Bailey, Hardy, Isaac Sr. and the grandson, also named Isaac) are listed. Isaac, the grandson, was my great-grandfather. I also have a church history stating that he was one of the organizer's and charter member of Shiloh Society, later Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, near McKenzie in 1825.

Bailey and Hardy had moved from Carroll County between 1830-1840 as only the 2 named Isaac are listed in 1840 census. The grandson Isaac was m. twice, first to Orpah Thompson and after her death to Jane Donnell.

The 1850 census lists: 9th Civil District, Sparks, Isaac, Farmer, Jane, Elizabeth, Elritta, William, Thompson, James, (New) Nathan, Pleasant.

The last 2 named I believe are children of Isaac's sister, Edith (Edy) who m. W.S. New.

10th Civil District, Sparks, Isaac Sr., Wilmeth, Bailey, Jesse, Isaac, Ann, Wilmeth, Mahala, Isaac S., Tyson Sarah.

1860 census lists: Civil District 5 (Post Office: McLemoresville)

Sparks, William H. Tobacconist. Mary, Sarah, Matilda, Millard, Lewis, McCarge Oscar, George, Caufman William, Patterson James.

Civil District 9 (Post Office: Macedonia). Sparks, Isaac, Farmer. Jane, Thompson, James, Sparks William, Farmer, Sarah H. Sparks, Isaac Sr. Farmer. Wilmeth, Bailey, Jesse, Ann, Isaac, Tyson Sarah.

The children of Isaac Sparks, grandson of Matthew Sparks were: Nancy who m. William Melear; Elizabeth who m. W. H. Carson and later Smith; Elritta who m. Ezekiel Thomas; William who m. Sarah Swearingen; Thompson who m. Callie Norvell; James who m. Fannie Pelham; Louisa who d. at age 10 months.

The children of William and Sarah Sparks were: Lucie who d. at age 3; Ella who m. Will Gordon, No children; Sam who m. Ida Sparks (1st Cousin) children were Lela, Norvell, Lorene; Curtis who m. Kizzie Johnson, children Hallie; Lonnie who m. Ethel Cody, children were George, Margaret, Arthur.

The children of Thompson and Callie Sparks were: Will who m. Josie Haynes, children were Frances, Eddie, Marvin, Maurice and Ruby who died as a child; Elmer who m. Pearl Cox, children were, Howard, Clarence, Nell, Mildred who died as a child; Ida whose marriage is already given; Ada who m. Abner Carroll and after his death m. James A. Carroll, children were, Mamie, Ella, Henry, and Harry.

I shall not try to name the other descendants lest I omit some and also I do not have all their names available at the present. (Submitted by Arthur L. Sparks)

William Mathew Sparks m Sarah Thompson Nathan Sparks m Sarah Elsberry - m Nancy Hancock Isaac Sparks m Ophra Thompson - m Jane L. Donnell William Mathew Sparks m Sarah A. Swearingen Lonnie T. Sparks m Ethel Cody