Mexican War Medal Owned By Hamilton Sparks Co. E, Penn.

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Mexican War Medal Owned By Hamilton S. Sparks, Company E., 2nd Penn. Vols. This Mexican War veteran's medal is made of heavy brass and consists of the bottom medal part only. Elaborate in its detail, this medal's lower portion includes a casting that includes a ship, cannon and a wreath inside which are representations of cactus, a fort and the year 1846. Below the wreath are the names Scott, Taylor and Perry signifying the leadership of General Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor and Commodore Matthew C. Perry. This is recorded as a very rare medal.At the border of the medal are the numerous battles of the Mexican War including Vera Cruz, Cherubusco and Buena Vista. Engraved on the back is the name of the owner, 'Hamilton S. Sparks, 2d Penn Vols'. This is a rare Mexican War medal from a man I have done quite a bit of research on out of curiosity. He was born in 1816 in German, Fayette, Pennsylvania and died 8 Oct. 1848 in Mexico City, Mexico. He is buried in the Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania or at least has a memorial marker t with his family (see photo of his tombstone). His wife is buried t also, Martha Newcomer Sparks later identified in a newspaper clipping at her death of Masontown, born 4 Jul 1818 and died 3 Aug. 1903. Their son, John F. Sparks was killed in the Civil War and is buried beside his father in the cemetery. Information on his family is as follows: BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN SPARKS (father of Hamilton Sparks): He was in poor health as a minor following a wound he received. Listed in the 1810 Census of German Twp. Fayette , PA , as being between 21 and 26 years old. In 1814, John Sparks and his wife, Elizabeth, witnessed the will of an Adin Clary, who might have been a relative but perhaps not as he left his estate to a friend. Harry E. Roderick. 1982 letter to Sparks Family Assn.BIOGRAPHY: Will: In the name of God ...I John Sparks of the Town and Township of German, County of Fayette, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, blessed by God for the same, do ordain and publish this, my last will and testament. (namely) first I commit my Spirit into the hands of Almighty God who gave it -- and my funeral charges and debts are paid I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth all the household and kitchen furniture, our side- saddle and bridle, and to live in my mansion house, so long as she remains my widow. Also our cow and three hundred dollars in cash, the cash not to be paid unto my son, Hamilton Sparks, shall arrive to the age of five years old, but she to have the interest if my widow. Then I will and bequeath unto my beloved daughters Naomi. Adaline, Tinandra, and Vashti Sparks each one share of the balance of my Estate, both real and personal. And I will and Bequeath unto my beloved son, Hamilton Sparks, two shares of all my Estate, one share to be laid out in schooling him. I also nominate my friends Lawrence Rider and James Tangston executors of this, my last will and testament. In Testimony wof I have more unto set my hand and affixed my seal, this 17th day of April, A.D. 1816. [signed John Sparks] Signed in the presence of James Auld and Joseph Province . Fayette County . The Eleventh day of August, Anno Domini 1817. Before me the subscriber register for the probate of will and granting letters of Administration in and for said County, personally came James Auld and Joseph Province, whose names are signed as witnessed to the foregoing last will and testament, and on their solemn oaths respectively acknowledge their signatures as witnesses to the same that at the time the testator appeared to be of disposing mind, memory, and understanding that they knew of no later will made by said deceased. In Testimony wof I have to set my hand and seal of said office the same day. --Alexander McClean, registrar. Registered and compared the 11th day of August 1817. Father: James Sparks , Sr. b: 1750 in Cranbury, Middlesex Co., NJ Mother: Ann Pearson b: 28 J... read more

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