RICHARD SPARROW

HOUSEHOLD 47

[A113]

1. Richard Sparrow (Whitelaw 1117), son of John Sparrow and Keziah Sanders, was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1764.  Richard died before 29 December 1841 (Miles Wills).

He married three times.  He married Esther Wise on 6 October 1789 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 268).  The record reads: "Sparrow, Richard to Esther Wise on 6 October 1789."  Esther was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1771.  Esther died before 1796.

He married Zeporah Mears in 1796 in Accomack Co., VA.  Zeporah was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1778.  He married Sarah Lewis on 3 March 1817 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 267).  The text reads: "Richard Sparrow to marry Sarah Riggs widow of George D. on 3 March 1817. George White security."

Sarah was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1780.  She married George D. Riggs, the son of John Riggs, on 30 October 1798 in Accomack Co., VA.

Richard witnessed the will of Solomon Gray on 9 May 1788 in Accomack Co., VA.  It was probated 31 July 1788 (Nottingham). SEE HOUSEHOLD 48.

On 5 January 1796 in Accomack Co., VA, the boundaries of the lands of Richard Sparrow were processioned in District 9. The lands processioned that day were: "John Lewis,John Evans, George Gladen, Robert Parks, Arthur Vessels, Ephraim Vessels, William Justice, Richard Bundick, Arthur Mears, Solomon Langford, Crippen Taylor, & Jacob Mason. Jeremiah Mason, Richd Sparrow, Solomon Gray, Thomas Grey, William Shrieves Henry Riley, Ephraim Vessels, Benjamin Parks, James Lucas." He also witnessed the processioning (Walczyk 22).

On 8 December 1795 he witnessed the Processioning of District 10, Accomack Parish. The text reads: "Decr 8th - 1795 - Processioned the Lands of Bennet Mason Samuel Johnson, Isaiah Johnson, Nathaniel Bird Senr, Nathaniel Bird Junr, John Bird, Jacob Bird, & Elizabeth Bird, John Kellam, Robert Mears, Jacob Bloxom. Nathl Bird Senr, Nathl Bird Junr, John Bird & Azariah Bloxom present. Stephen Riggin, Arthur Silverthorn, George Young, Bartholomew Mears & Richard Sparrow. Geo. Young, Jonathan Fitchett, Jona Mears & Robert Mears present." (Walczyk 22).

Richard was listed as the head of a family in the 1800 census in Accomack Co., VA (Powell).  The text reads: "1 male 0-10 1 male 26-45, 1 female age 26-45, 1 female age 10-16, and 3 females 0-10 1 female 10-16, 1 female age 26-45 , 1 slave."

On 5 September 1807 Richard Sparrow was paid £00.15.00 for potatoes for the Poor House (Overseers of the Poor 170).  The text reads: "The Overseers of the Poor ... to Richard Sparrow for Potaters 00.15.00."  He married Zeporah Mears in 1796 in Accomack Co., VA. Zeporah was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1778.  Zeporah died before 1817.

Richard made a will on 29 January 1839 in Accomack Co., VA. I t was probated 29 December 1841 (Miles Wills).  An abstract of his will reads:

SPARROW, RICHARD - 29 January 1839 - 29 December 1841 To my grandson James Sparrow a lot of land adjoining the lands of Dennis Clayton & James Sparrow is not to possess this land until he becomes 21 old & the land to be rented out until the rents should amount to enough to pay the doctors attendance upon his sister Eliza Sparrow & to James Sparrow timber enough of any part of wood land to build a house 16 feet by 18 feet. To my 3 granddaughters Eliza Sparrow, Esther Sparrow & Sally Sparrow $18 between them to purchase each of them a dress. To my daughter Sally Killman 10 yards wide of woods land running from Masons land to the Market Road, adjoining the lands of Thomas Killman during her life. The land I sold Thomas Killman shall be surveyed by a sworn surveyor & for the said Thomas Killman to have as many acres as he purchased of me & no more. To my sons Richard Sparrow & David Sparrow all the lands lying to the northwest of ... including a lot I shall hereafter loan to Sally Whealton all lying within said line up to the land given to James Sparrow & between the branch & Major Mason's lands. Richard Sparrow's part to be assigned him next to James Sparrow & David Sparrow's portion to be the part which will include the buildings to them ... provided that neither Richard & David Sparrow should ever sell, lease or mortgage his interest in said devise, I do hereby revoke the aforesaid gift & give the same to the other. To Sally Whealton during her life, provided she continue to live with me until my death, a certain lot of land ... & then include kitchen & garden ... To my daughter Mary Wilkerson 1/3 of the remaining part of my land to be divided according ... adjoining the land I have given my son David Sparrow & at her death to my sons Richard & David Sparrow. To my daughter Henny Wright 1/2 of the remaining part of my land ... upon the west of the Market Road until it comes up to Walter Wright's line & then extend across to the branch or as far as Henry Wright's to join Walter Wright's land, provided that Walter Wright will not hereafter pilfer or cut wood or any kind of timber upon any part of the land I have given away & if he should continue to cut upon any but his own, I do hereby revoke the gift & give her proportion to my children. To my daughter Sukey Littleton the remaining part of my lands lying between that of Mary Wilkerson & Henny Wright. To my son David Sparrow ... Remainder to Richard Sparrow, Henny Wright & Sukey Littleton. My friend Littleton A. Hinman Extr. Witt: Thomas R. Clayton, Charles Taylor, James Gray & Richard Dix. John D. Parks & James Justice were the securities on the bond.

Whitelaw states: "A113 - 1738 Richard Jones left all his estate to John Sparrow, the son of David and Mary Sparrow, but he did not explain the relationship if any.  1775  The will of John Sparrow (wife Keziah) did not mention the land but it went to a son Richard, and in 1843 a survey for division among his numerous heirs showed 243 acres for them, extending southwestward from the south head branch of Guilford Creek" (1117).  He also states:  "A126 ... 1797 Robert [Mears] died interstate and his part went to his brother Jonathan; the next year Richard and Ziporah Sparrow sold her 100 acres to her brother Jonathan ..." (1194).

Richard Sparrow and Esther Wise had the following children:

1 i. Sarah Sparrow was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1790.  She married Thomas Killmon on 8 January 1808 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 158).  The text reads: "Thomas Killman to marry Sarah Sparrow (Jobs island) on 8 January 1808.  William Taylor security." SEE HOUSEHOLD 71.

Thomas was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1783.  Thomas was the son of Mathew Killmon and Comfort Ewell.  In Mathew Killmon's will on 5 February 1805 in Accomack Co., VA, Thomas was named as an heir.  It was probated 20 June 1807 (Miles Wills 318).

Thomas was listed as the head of a family in the 1810 Census in Accomack Co., VA (Powell 76).  The text reads: "Thomas Killman 1 male to 26, 1 female to 26."

Richard Sparrow mentions Thomas Killmon in his will written on 29 December 1841 in Accomack Co., VA (Miles Wills).

In Richard Sparrow's will on 29 January 1839 in Accomack Co., VA, Sarah was named as an heir.  It was probated 29 December 1841 (Miles Wills).

2 ii. John Sparrow  was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1791.  He married Hester Dix on 11 July 1812 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 267).  The text reads: "John Sparrow to Hessy Dix on 11 July 1812. Teackle Justice security."  Hester was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1794.

3 iii. Susan Sparrow was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1794.  She married George Littleton circa 1812.  George was born circa 1787.

Richard Sparrow and Zeporah Mears had the following children:

4 iv. Henrietta Sparrow was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1807.  She married Walter Wright on 5 August 1825 in Accomack Co., VA.  Walter was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1800.  The text reads: Walter Wright of William to marry Henny Sparrow of Richard on 5 August 1825. Edmund Baker and George Littleton securitites (Turman 331).

5 v. Richard Sparrow was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1808.  He married Tabitha Wright on 11 January 1832 in Accomack Co., VA.  Tabitha was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1814.  The text reads: "Richard Sparrow to marry Tabitha Wright of John on 11 January 1832.  Edmund Baker security" (Turman 267).  Tabitha was the daughter of John Wright and Elizabeth Dunton.  See HOUSEHOLD 86

6 vi. Mary Sparrow was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1813.  She married Samuel T. Wilkerson on 17 December 1831 in Accomack Co., VA.  The text reads: "Samuel T. Wilkerson to marry Mary Sparrow of Richard on 17 December 1831.  George Bell security" Truman 323).  Samuel was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1806.

Richard Sparrow and Sarah Lewis had the following child:

7 vii. David Sparrow was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1818.  He married twice.  He married Sarah, circa 1843 in Accomack Co., VA.  Her surname is unknown.  Sarah was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1812.  He married Mary Bundick, a widow, on 2 February 1857 in Accomack Co., VA (Miles Marriages).  Mary was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1810.  Mary was the daughter of Henry Wright and Ann Savage.  She had first married Tully Bundick circa 1828 in Accomack Co., VA.  SEE HOUSEHOLD 80.

Sources:

Miles, Barry W., and Miles Moody K. III.  Marriage Records of Accomack County, Virginia 1854-1895.  Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc. 

Miles, Barry W., & Moody K. Miles III.  Wills and Administrations of Accomack Co., VA 1800-1860.  Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 2000.

Nottingham, Stratton.  Wills and Administrations of Accomack County, Virginia 1663-1800.  Bowie MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1990.

Powell, Jody.  Accomac County Virginia 1800 1810 1820 Census.  Roanoke, TX: Jody Powell, 1991.

Turman, Nora Miller.  Marriage Records of Accomack County, Virginia 1776-1854, Recorded in Bonds, Licenses and Ministers' Returns.  Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1994.

Walczyk, Gail M.  Accomack County Processioners Returns 1723-1792 for Accomack And St. George's Parish.  Coram, NY: Peter's Row, 2003.

Walczyk, Gail M.  Meetings of the Overseers of the Poor.  Coram, NY: Peter's Row, 2004.

Whitelaw, Ralph T.  Virginia's Eastern Shore.  A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties. Volume Two.  Gloucester MA: Peter Smith.