This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Germanna Surnames: BOWMAN, SPARLING, CRUM, HARMON, WADDLE, SPARLING Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.tennessee.counties.greene/4727.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: On 29 Jan 2010, Kathleen said: "Did you know that there was a Sparling Bowman in Greene Co., Tn in 1790's? Possibly related to your line. I believe the Bowmans were German Also the name Sparling may have been changed to Spurling along the way." Hi Kathleen, Yes, there was a Sparling BOWMAN, Sr., b. about 1752 in MD, d. 15 Jul 1839 in Greene Co. His son, Sparling BOWMAN, Jr., b. about 1781 in PA, d. about 1860 in Greene Co. Yes, this BOWMAN line descends from Johannes "John" BAUMAN/BOWMAN, b. abt 1711 in Bavaria, Germany. He settled in the Salisbury Hundred, near present day Williamsport, MD, before 1730. John's line is the one that ended up in Washington, Sullivan, Greene Counties, TN, in the late 1700's. The name "Sparling" as a given name comes from John's wife, Catherine SPARLING. Her maiden surname was given to her 5th child, Sparling BOWMAN, who ended up in Greene Co., TN. From him, several descendants had either a first name or middle name of "Sparling". I've never run across any of the BOWMAN families in Greene Co., TN, who had descendants named "Spurling". Not saying it didn't happen, but I would be more inclined to think that IF that name were found in official records, it was a misspelling error by some clerk. The given name "Sparling" shows up all over Greene Co. There was a "Sparling BOWMAN", son of Kennedy BOWMAN; a "Sparling Jackson BOWMAN", son of Andrew BOWMAN and Mary CRUM; then there was a "James Sparling CRUM", who was the grandson of Mary "Polly" BOWMAN, daughter of Sparling BOWMAN, Sr.; a "Sparling B. HARMON", son of Elizabeth "Betsy" BOWMAN, also a daughter of Sparling BOWMAN, Sr.; and, finally, from what records I have, a "Sparling WADDLE", son of Rachel BOWMAN, also a daughter of Sparling BOWMAN, Sr. Whew! It seems that just about all the descendants of old Sparling BOWMAN, Sr., gave the name "Sparling" to one of their descendants. I've even found a "Daniel Sparling BOWMAN" in Rutherford Co., TN, who was the Grand-Nephew of Sparling BOWMAN, Sr.! When those people found a name they liked, it seems they latched onto it and kept it going. As to the surname "SPARLING", I have no idea what it was in Bavaria, Germany, but it became "SPARLING" very quickly in America. Sarge GermannaResearch@comcast.net Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.