Stewarts Genealogy

First Name Last Name
Share Print Bookmark
James Hewlett Sprake

James Hewlett Sprake

Male 1828 - 1911  (82 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    All

  • Name James Hewlett Sprake  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28] 
    Baptism 1828  Ross, Herefordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [7, 20] 
    Birth 2 Apr 1828  Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 27] 
    Gender Male 
    Death 13 Jan 1911  Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 10, 27, 29] 
    Person ID I81245  Stewartsny
    Last Modified 2 Dec 2025 

    Father Thomas Sprake,   b. 1789, Ross, Herefordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 Feb 1843, Herefordshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 54 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Ann Smith 
    Relationship natural 
    Marriage 8 Sep 1816  Ross, Hereford, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [30, 31, 32] 
    Family ID F28589  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Samuel,   b. 16 Dec 1831, Blaenavon, Monmouthshire, Wales Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Aug 1897 (Age 65 years) 
    Marriage Oct 1852  Abergavenny, Monmouthshire Find all individuals with events at this location  [28] 
    Children 
     1. Elizabeth Ann Sprake,   b. 27 Mar 1855, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 Jul 1909, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 54 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     2. James Hewlett Sprake,   b. 10 Mar 1859, Blaenavon, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 19 Dec 1937, Plymouth PA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     3. Edward Thomas Sprake,   b. 11 Nov 1865, Wales Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 17 Jul 1946, Kingston, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 80 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     4. Sarah Jane Sprake,   b. 7 Dec 1867, Wales, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 May 1940, Boise, Idaho Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 72 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     5. Charles Edwin Sprake,   b. 5 Jul 1868, Wales, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Sep 1896, Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 28 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     6. Emily Blanche Sprake,   b. Jan 1871, Plains, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Sep 1959, Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F30833  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 2 Dec 2025 

  • Notes 
    • Newspaper Obituary - January 16, 1911 - Remains Identified - James H. Sprake Of Plymouth Victim Of Distressing Accident - The identity of the unfortunate man who was run over and so badly mutilated by a Carey avenue car on the trestling crossing the D., L. & W. Railroad, at Plymouth, Friday night, was brought about by the description of himself and his clothing as published Saturday morning. The illfated individual was James H. Sprake of Beade street, Plymouth, a lifelong resident of the place, and a man who was well known to every resident of the upper end of that town. The only reason he was not recognized by the many who viewed the remains immediately after the accident was that he was so badly mutilated. Deceased left the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Armitage, about 6 o'clock on the night of the accident. Owing to his advanced age, 83 years next April, he was not alert and in some manner wandered upon the track. The night of the accident members of the family searched ever place where it was thought he might have gone, but without avail and not until Saturday morning after reading the account of the accident in this paper did any of them suspect that it might be their father. They immediately hurried to the morgue of Mayor Kniffen, where they were horrified to find that the victim was their father. Preparations were at once made to have the remains removed and Moore Bros., of Plymouth, took the body to his home. Deceased is survived by four children, two sons, and two daughters, James H. Sprake, of East Main street. Edward T., proprietor of the Elm Hill Hotel, Mrs. Harry Armitage of Beade street, with whom deceased resided, of Plymouth, and Mrs. Elmer Laubaugh of Philadelphia; also several grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock with services at the house by Rev. A. R. Fisk, pastor of the Elm Congregational Church of that place. Interment will be in the Hanover Green Cemetery. Deceased was employed at the Dodson colliery of the Plymouth Coal Co. for upwards of thirty-five years, during which period he filled the position of hoisting engineer for a little over thirty years and never had a serious accident. He left the hoisting engine room and took charge of the compressor engine which had charge of for about five years when he quit work.

      Newspaper Obituary - January 17, 1911 Wilkes Barre Record - Victim of Rail Buried - The funeral of James H. Sprake, who was killed by a street car Friday evening, was held from his home yesterday afternoon and was largely attended by relatives, friends, and employees of the Dodson colliery, where he was employed as engineer for upwards of thirty-five years. Services were conducted at the home of the deceased's daughter, Mrs. Harry Armitage, Beade street, at 2 o'clock by Rev. A. R. Fisk of the Elm Congregational Church. The floral offerings were of several designs. The flower carriers were Ernest and Bert Smith, Harry Armitage, Jr., James Armitage Jr., and Charles Sprake, Jr. The pall bearers were George B. Shonk, J. C. Young, C. W. Honeywell, James H. Fine, David Williams and Patrick Roan. Interment was in the Hanover Green Cemetery.

      Newspaper Obituary - Saturday, January 14, 1911 Pittston Gazette - Pittson, Pennsylvania - Aged Man Instantly Killed By Trolley Car - James Sprake, aged 82 years, was struck and instantly killed by a Carey avenue trolley car at Plymouth last night about 7 o'clock. The car in charge of George Wenner was crossing the trestle over the Lackawanna Railroad tracks, when the tragedy occurred. Wenner declared that the victim was lying across the rails and that he was too close to the unfortunate an when he saw him to avoid the accident. Sprake was instantly killed, his body being badly mangled. The body was taken to Wilkesbarre, where it was identified by relatives later. Sprake is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Armitage, and two sons.

      Newspaper Obituary - Saturday, January 14, 1911 Wilkes Barre Times Leader - Street Car Kills A Well Known Plymouth Man James Sprake, Aged 86 Years, Run Over and Body Badly Mutilated - Was Lying On Trestling - Remains Brought To This City And Later Identified By Victim’s Son-In-Law - James Sprake, aged 86 years of Plymouth met a tragic death last night at 7 o’clock by being run over by a Plymouth street car, and his body horribly mangled on the trestle which spanned the L. L. and W. tracks near Main street, that place. Sprake’s head was almost severed from his body, both legs broken and the shoulder and arms terrible mutilated. From all indications he was lying in the middle of the track with his head over one of the rails. Just why he came to be in such an unusual place is not known. The car which killed the unfortunate victim left Plymouth for Wilkes-Barre at 6:30 o’clock. It was in charge of Motorman George Wanner and Conductor Andrew Morgan. The tressle is the company’s private property and is not used by pedestrians. The car had runned over from Main street, and was on its way down the grade toward the Plymouth bridge and as it entered the trestle the head light flashed the form of a man lying on the tracks. The motorman frantically applied the brakes but was unable to stop the car in time to prevent the accident. As soon as the car stopped, a few yards distant, the crew went back to the spot and a gruesome sight presented itself. Torn and mutilated flesh and bone besmeared rails, together with the mangled remains, was the sickening spectacle, but the crew, with the aid of several passengers placed the body on the car and it was brought to Kniffen’s morgue in this city. A number of people viewed the body at the morgue but were unable to identify it unitl M. F. Armitage (Harry) of Plymouth, a son in law of the victim, with whom the man resided positively identified it. Sprake was well known resident of Plymouth, having lived there for many years. For forty years he was employed as stationary engineer at No. 12 colliery of the Plymouth Coal Co. Two sons, and two daughters survive. They are Jas. H. Sprake, the Plymouth borough electrician; Edward Sprake, proprietor of the Elm Hill Hotel, Plymouth; Mrs. M. F. Armitage, Plymouth; Sarah T. Sprake, Philadelphia. The funeral will take place from the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. F. Armitage of Beade street.

      Newspaper Obituary - Monday, January 16, 1911 - Deaths - Sprake - At Plymouth, Jan. 13, 1911, accident, James H. Sprake, aged 83 years.

  • Sources 
    1. [S847] Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;), Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1966; Certificate Number Range: 112851-116000.

    2. [S1309] Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2009;), Year: 1870; Census Place: Plains, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1367; Page: 450A; Family History Library Film: 552866.

    3. .

    4. [S2232] Ancestry.com, 1861 Wales Census, (Name: Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network,Inc., 2005.Original data - Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1861. Data imaged from ;).
      Birth date: abt 1828
      Birth place: Ross, Herefordshire, England
      Residence date: 1861
      Residence place: Trevethin, Monmouthshire, Wales

    5. [S2308] Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 United States Federal Census, (Name: Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network,Inc., 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject t;), Year: 1880; Census Place: Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1151;Family History Film: 1255151; Page: 432D; Enumeration District: 148; Image: 0089.
      Birth date: abt 1829
      Birth place: England
      Residence date: 1880
      Residence place: Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States

    6. [S2247] Ancestry.com, 1910 United States Federal Census, (Name: Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network,Inc., 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census;), Year: 1910; Census Place: Plymouth Ward 2, Luzerne, Pennsylvania;Roll: T624_1369; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 103; Image: 602.
      Birth date: abt 1827
      Birth place: England
      Residence date: 1910
      Residence place: Plymouth Ward 2, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
      Arrival date: 1867
      Arrival place:

    7. [S601] Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;).

    8. [S1972] Ancestry.com, Washington, Marriage Records, 1854-2013, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013.

    9. [S2323] FreeBMD, England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date:2006;;;).

    10. [S147] Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;).

    11. [S1382] Ancestry.com, 1861 Wales Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;), Class: RG9; Piece: 4009; Folio: 23; Page: 21; GSU roll: 543220.

    12. [S30] Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;), Year: 1880; Census Place: Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1151; Family History Film: 1255151; Page: 432D; Enumeration District: 148; Image: 0089.

    13. [S841] Ancestry.com, 1841 England Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;), Class: HO107; Piece: 421; Book: 17; Civil Parish: Ross; County: Herefordshire; Enumeration District: 3; Folio: 38; Page: 23; Line: 20; GSU roll: 288816.

    14. [S29] Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;), Year: 1900; Census Place: Plymouth Ward 2, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1434; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0119; FHL microfilm: 1241434.

    15. [S1301] Ancestry.com, 1910 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Year: 1910; Census Place: Plymouth Ward 2, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1369; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0103; FHL microfilm: 1375382.

    16. [S2250] Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;;;), Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1966; Certificate Number Range: 112851-116000.

    17. [S2251] Ancestry.com, 1861 Wales Census, (Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network,Inc., 2005.Original data - Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1861. Data ;).
      Birth date: abt 1828
      Birth place: Ross, Herefordshire, England
      Residence date: 1861
      Residence place: Trevethin, Monmouthshire, Wales

    18. [S2320] Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 United States Federal Census, (Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network,Inc., 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use ;), Year: 1880; Census Place: Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1151;Family History Film: 1255151; Page: 432D; Enumeration District: 148; Image: 0089.
      Birth date: abt 1829
      Birth place: England
      Residence date: 1880
      Residence place: Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States

    19. [S2264] Ancestry.com, 1910 United States Federal Census, (Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network,Inc., 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirt;), Year: 1910; Census Place: Plymouth Ward 2, Luzerne, Pennsylvania;Roll: T624_1369; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 103; Image: 602.
      Birth date: abt 1827
      Birth place: England
      Residence date: 1910
      Residence place: Plymouth Ward 2, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
      Arrival date: 1867
      Arrival place:

    20. [S2324] Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;;;).

    21. [S2252] Ancestry.com, Washington, Marriage Records, 1854-2013, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;;;), Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013.

    22. [S2325] FreeBMD, England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915, (Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date:2006;;;;;).

    23. [S1977] Ancestry.com, 1861 Wales Census, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;;;), Class: RG9; Piece: 4009; Folio: 23; Page: 21; GSU roll: 543220.

    24. [S2318] Ancestry.com, 1841 England Census, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;;;), Class: HO107; Piece: 421; Book: 17; Civil Parish: Ross; County: Herefordshire; Enumeration District: 3; Folio: 38; Page: 23; Line: 20; GSU roll: 288816.

    25. [S227] Ancestry.com, 1910 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Year: 1910; Census Place: Plymouth Ward 2, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1369; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0103; FHL microfilm: 1375382.

    26. [S2253] FreeBMD, England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915, (Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date:2006;;;;;).

    27. [S2250] Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;;;), Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Box Number: 2502; Certificate Number Range: 116851-119700.

    28. [S2233] FreeBMD, England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915, (Name: Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date:2006;;;).

    29. [S2303] Wilkes-Barre Times, News Article.
      Street Car Kills A Well Known Plymouth Man
      James Sprake, Aged 86 Years, Run Over and Body Badly Mutilated.

    30. [S1393] Ancestry.com, England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;).

    31. [S1966] Ancestry.com, England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973, (Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2014;;).

    32. [S1966] Ancestry.com, England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973, (Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2014;;).
      https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N6ST-8ZW