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Hi Ralph,
The Richard Sparks that I am researching first appears in Cranbury, Middlesex County NJ, in 1750 when he was probably in his early 20's. There are some Sparks family researchers who think he may have been married to Johanna Applegate who was the daughter of Benjamin Applegate. Benjamin Applegate was living in Burlington County, NJ in Feb 1752 when he made his will. Richard Sparks was listed as one of his executors, along with Walter Wall. Benjamins first wife was named Elizabeth, and there are those who feel she may have been a sister of Richard Sparks.
Richard & his family lived in Allegheny County in the late 1760's & early 1770's. That part of the state went through many changes in the names of towns & counties during this time period and the area was claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia. The area you are talking about was known locally as the "Jersey Settlement" in the 1770's due to the large number of former NJ settlers living there.
At the time of the "Jersey Settlement" the area was in Rostraver Township in Cumberland County, Pa. In 1771, Bedford County was created from Cumberland County, and the
"Jersey Settlement" became a part of the new county, though still in Rostraver Township. Later in 1771 the county of Westmoreland was cut off from Bedford County, with Rostraver now a township in that new county. In 1788, the "Jersey Settlement" was contained in another new county, Allegheny. During the next 62 years, all or parts of 11 other counties were created from Allegheny, but the "Jersey Settlement" remained within Allegheny comprising the township of Elizabeth. In 1869, Forward Township, was cut from Elizabeth Township.
This area, also know as "the Forks of the Yough", was located between the Youghiogheny River and the Monongahela River just south of Pittsburgh.
The property you referenced, owned by William Applegate, then passed to his son Isaiah was owned originally by a man named James Dean. It was "patented" (deeded) to William Applegate on June 23, 1794 and to his son's Isaiah, William and Robert Applegate on April 15, 1801.
My 6gr grandfather Richard Sparks did in fact own 308 acres of land adjacent to Benjamin Applegate from 1770 until his death in 1792. His property was bordered by land owned by Samuel Applegete, James Wall,(322 acres), Benjamin Applegate,(397 1/4 acres), James Dean, Andrew Pearce, Danial Applegate and Daniel Thompson. As far as identifying and relating the names of present day roads to those days, unfortunately I can't help you. If you were to contact the local historical society, I'm sure they could offer some assistance.
You mentioned a man named Garrett Wall Applegate. I was wondering if he is the same man who married Mary (Polly) Sparks, the grand daughter of Richard Sparks above? She married a man named Garrett Wall. Her father, Richard Jr., was captured as a child by Shawnee Indians, and after about 10-15 years he was returned and went on to become a Colonel in the U.S. Army.
Most of this information comes from the "Sparks Quarterly" which was published for 50 years.
I hope this information is of some help to you in your research. If you have any information on Johanna Applegate or possibly a woman named Charity Applegate who is also considered a possible wife of Richard Sparks (1720/25-1792) I would really appreciate it.
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