Scripto
Transcribe John Sparks page 03a
in John Sparks
discuss page | view history | view document
Current Transcription
great Joy to Brother Sparks, as for himself her was received into the
Congregation at Bristol, and made partaker of the Holy Sacrament
in the year 1759, and after the Congregation was settled at Haver-
-ford West, he continued to Preach frequently as he had done be-
fore. As to what concerns his Family Affairs; He was married
at Bristol in the year 1757 to Mary Row, who departed this Life
about a twelve month after, with the Infant which she bore him.
He continued some time a widdower, and the 18th of April 1738 (?)
He married the present Widdow; by whom he had 2 sons and 1
Daughter. During this Period of his Life, he was beloved and
respected by all creditable People; both in Town & Country, and
bore several Publick offices with Honour. Towards the latter part
of the year 1762 his Father departed this Life, upon which he took
to his Fathers Busness. He was of an uncommon generous dispo
-sition, and so companionate towards all poor distress'd People,
that very many retain a greatful Remembrance of his Kindness.
But at the same time, he carried his generosity too far and
undertook more than suck a Merchat as he was, could
well do with safely. At first he had a large shop and many
customers. He then purchased a large quantity of goods, and
hoped (after his lively way of thinking) that he should soon
have it in his power not alone to pay the Money he had bor-
-rowed to buy the goods, but likewise all his other Debts, which
he had contracted during his Fathers lifetime. Having at
length Borrowed too much, he saw himself reduced to the sad
necessity of increasing instead of diminishing his Debts. It was
his
his Misfortune to think as many do in such cases, that sup-
-posing he should not be able to pay his Debts, the sale of all that
he had, would be sufficient to discharge all his Debts, and
so no one would be a looser in the End, but himself and Family
should be the only Sufferers. But yet this hope faild him to his
very great sorrow, his goods he was obliged to sell off at an im-
-proper time, by which means he scarcely got half their value,
and he suffered a great Loss. In the summer 1769 he was
obliged to quit his fine comodious dwelling house in the city,
and put up with a littl Hut in the subberbs where he was
reduced to get his living by daily Labour, and as this would
not do long together, he set up a little shop, besides which
he keep a small reading and writing school. when we consider
how triffling his earnings was, one cannot sufficiently admire
how the good hand of the Lord provided necessaries for him and
his Family. He never made any complaints on the great
change he had suffered in his Estate, but acknowledged our
Saviours Faithfulness towards him in that respect. His Patience
not only tried with Poverty, but he had a tough of the Dropsy
& rumatism and Palsy, which was still harder for him to
bear. Every one that saw him, was touch'd with compassion
as it was easy to Immagine has heavy such circumstances
must bear upon him. Yet no complaint came from his lips
but he seem'd allways cheerful and easy. His ill health obliged
him to remove to a better dwelling in the city where he went
on