Doubts

While I continue to see the best case for the identity of William B. Sparlin (married to Sarah E. Bryant, father of Oscar Clarence Sparlin, residing in southwest MO) to lie with the Moses C. Sparling family of Turman, Sullivan, IN, a few records continue to cast doubt on that conclusion.

1. Oscar Clarence Sparlin’s birth certificate states that his father was born in IL, while Moses C.’s son was born in IN. (I need to see that document.)

2. A census record I found yesterday states that W. B. Sparling was age 30 when he married Sarah E. Bryant. Moses C.’s son should be 39 or 40.

1880 census, Nevada, Vernon, MO
W.B. Sparling 30, b. KY, Father/Mother birthplace: blanks
Sarah E. Sparling 15 b. MO, Father born in IN, Mother in NY

In addition, W.B. Sparling’s birthplace is incorrect. For that matter, so is Sarah’s father’s. Strangely enough, if the two are switched, they’re correct. The two most compelling facts from this record is that Sarah is 15, in good accord with other evidence for this marriage, and the couple resides in Vernon, MO, also in agreement with other information. Whether it’s significant that Sparling is spelled with a “g” here, I don’t know. (Unfortunately, searches for a William B. Sparling, age 30, born in IL yielded nothing.)

3. There exist multiple Civil War records for William (B.) Sparlin(g) and other Sparlin(g)s, who may or may not be related. One researcher believes that the sons of Moses C., Archibald and John W. enlisted in IL. I can, indeed, find three Illinois records, one for Archibald Sparlin (48th IL infantry), one for John Sparling (48th IL infantry) and one for William Sparling (86th IL infantry). This same researcher, however, claims these Sparlings served in the same regiment, “Six Sparling's were in the Civil War all in 48th Ill. Inf. John W. and Archibald were brothers and the others related.”

To muddy the water, there is the record of William B. Sparlin from Currysville, IN (located in Sullivan county, the home of Moses C.) who enlisted in Co. F. 13th IN infantry and who filed for his Civil War pension in AR, where Oscar Clarence was born.

If you have any information to help me sort this all out, or if you'd simply like to join in my confusion, please leave a comment.