The Letters of Robert Sparks

Robert Sparks was married to Susan Durham, making him a brother-in-law of Elizabeth Durham Pruitt. While not directly related to my father-in-law's ancestors, the events in Robert's life undoubtedly affected all who knew him.

Robert, at age 38, was conscripted into the Confederate Army. He entered service on 28 April, 1863, as a private with Company E, 4th North Carolina Infantry. He deserted in May of the same year. [1]

Robert Sparks, 4th NC Confederate Roll

By April 1864, one year later, Robert was under arrest for having deserting again. [2]

Robert Sparks, CSA, arrested for desertion

In a letter to his wife, Robert Sparks explained that he had been court martialed and sentenced to be shot to death on April 28th as "an example to scare others".

In a letter to his brother, he said that two other men were sentenced to be executed with him, J.F. Owens, son of Rev. John Owens, and Wm. W. Wyatt.  Robert requested that his brother come and bring his body home and gave his brother directions for his burial.

Another letter written by Gideon Spicer informed Susan A. Sparks that he had witnessed the death of her husband that day.

Transcriptions of these letters are online here (along with the information that the letters were printed in the Tazewell (Virginia) Republican newspaper in 1893). [3]   Biographical information about Robert and another copy of the letter transcriptions can be viewed here. [4]

Rev. A.D. Betts was a Confederate Chaplain who kept a diary about his experiences during the Civil War. An entry on page 58 of his diary simply states:

Apr. 28 - See three men, from Wilkes County, shot for desertion

Robert Sparks was survived by his wife, Susan Durham Sparks, and five children. At the time of his death, Robert and Susan were the parents of three daughters, Martha, 16; Sarah, 13; Huldah, 10; and two sons, Bynum, 8; and Thomas, 3. [5 & 6]  There were also, apparently, other children that did not live, as his last letter to his wife also told her to meet him "up yonder where my little babies is gone".

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[1]  Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141,"  (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).

[2]  Compiled service Record, Robert Sparks, Pvt., Co. E, 4th North Carolina Infantry; Carded Records of Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, Record Group 109; digital images, subscription site, "NARA Roll 141,"  (Fold3.com, accessed 26 Feb 2015).

[3]  The Sad Letters of Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Written Shortly Before His Death; Russell E. Bidlack, Sparks Family Association; 30 October 2011.

[4]  Tragic Letter Written by Robert Sparks (ca. 1824-1864) Three Days Before His Death; Sparks Family Association, 2 March 2012.

[5]  1860 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lower Division, p. 52, Image 104, dwelling 749, family 749, Robert Sparks household; digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653_918.

[6]  1870 U.S. census, Wilkes County, North Carolina, population schedule, Trap Hill Township, p. 398B, Image 800, dwelling 146, family 145, Susanah Sparks household, digital images, www.ancestry.com; citing National Archives and Records Administration M593_1165.

Elizabeth Durham Pruitt

Elizabeth Durham, the daughter of John Durham, was born around 1815-1820 in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Elizabeth Durham  married Joel Pruitt, Jr. on November 9, 1835 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. [1]

Reportedly a photo of Joel Pruitt and Elizabeth Durham Pruitt, seated   [2]  (Click to enlarge)

Elizabeth's father wrote a will in March 1847 (or possibly 1849) naming his children. In his will, he stated that he had "already given unto my four eldest children daughters, namely Elizabeth Pruitt wife of Joel Pruitt, Sally Creed wife of Henry Creed, Charlotte Sparks wife of Joel Sparks and Susan Sparkes wife of Robert Sparks their portion of my world estate."  He also willed to his two younger daughters "twenty-five dollars about the amount given to my elder daughters." [3]   This will was probated in July 1863, and not only confirms the name of Elizabeth's father, but it links her to her brother-in-law, whose story can be found here.

Information about Elizabeth and Joel's family can be found here.

The Civil War years were not kind to Elizabeth, as her father died, likely from old age, prior to July 1863. Her son, Hampton P. Pruitt, died from injuries received serving the Confederacy on December 15, 1863.  Her brother-in-law, Robert Sparks, was executed for desertion in April 1864. Her son, King Pruitt, was apparently killed by the Home Guard in a skirmish in Wilkes County on December 2, 1864.

These are the deaths that we know about that touched Elizabeth's life over a few brief years.There may have been other family members who died during the Civil War that simply haven't been identified and linked to Elizabeth Durham Pruitt. She had at least four daughters who would have been old enough to have been married before or during the Civil War, but we don't know who any of their daughters married (yet).  Elizabeth also had several brothers who were probably old enough to serve in the Civil War.

Sadly, Elizabeth's story was undoubtedly similar to many other families, on both sides of the conflict, throughout the Civil War.

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[1]   "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979" FamilySearch, Joel Prewitt and Elisabeath Durham, 9 Nov 1835. FHL microfilm 546,480

[2]  Copy of photo received from Robyn Pruitt via email. Ownership of the original is unknown. Picture is damaged with large white spots.  The female standing behind them may be a daughter.

[3]  Wilkes, North Carolina, Will Books; Will of John Durham; digital images,  FamilySearch.com;  (accessed 24 Feb 2015)