John Sparks (abt. 1835 - abt. 1867)

Born about 1835 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Ann (Calland) Sparks — married 8 Oct 1854 in Prestbury, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died about 7 Oct 1867 at about age 32 in Canterbury, New Zealand [uncertain]

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Biography

John was born about 1834. His surname appears as Sparks and Sparkes.His parents were John Sparks and Maria Wright.

He married Ann Calland in 1854. ^[1]

In the 1861 Census John Sparks is 26, a Silk Weaver, living with wife Ann (26) and son Henry (3) at Coal Pit Lane, Cheshire. His mother-in-law Elizabeth Calland is also there.

Two years later, in 1862, John (28) and Ann (28) with sons Henry (4) and William (10 months) migrated to Canterbury, New Zealand aboard the Chariot of Fame, which sailed from London 21 October 1862 and arrived Lyttelton 29 Jan 1863.

Immigrant passenger list ^[2]

The following is questionable, because it refers to him as stepson or son-in-law of Mr Foster. William Foster was the proprietor of the Travellers' Rest Hotel, Governors Bay, Canterbury.

The BDM record spells the name as Sparkes, the newspaper reports as Sparks.

On 7 October 1867 John Sparkes passed away in Canterbury, aged 33. ^[3]

Death report - October 1867^[4]
Fatal Accident at Governor's Bay.— On Monday evening, about eight o'clock Mr. J. Sparks, stepson of Mr Foster (the Traveller's Rest Hotel), left for Christchurch on horseback. Some time afterwards the horse returned riderless, and without the saddle. A search was made, and Mr Sparks was found on the road insensible, the saddle being close to him, with both his feet locked in the stirrup irons. He was conveyed to the Hotel and Dr Home was sent for, who, on arrival, pronounced life to have been extinct some hours. An inquest was held at 4 p.m. yesterday.

Another report lists him as son-in-law of Mr Foster. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ "England, Cheshire Parish Registers, 1538-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3XQ-ZZ5 : 7 December 2017), John Sparks and Ann Calland, 08 Oct 1854, Marriage; citing item 2 p 24, , Prestbury, Cheshire, England, Record Office, Chester; FHL microfilm 2,093,805.
2. ↑ New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973;
3. ↑ NZBDM deaths 7/10/1867 1867/3361 Sparkes, John, 33Y
4. ↑ Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2122, 9 October 1867
5. ↑ Otago Daily Times, Issue 1805, 12 October 1867