John Emmet Spurlock, born in Petersburg about 1830-1835 to Frederick and Betsy, with his daughter Emma Boon Spurlock on the left, daughter of Martha Boon of West Ward, Petersburg, and his second wife Abbie Lucretia Sprurlock (1850-1925) of Providence, Rhode Island, daughter of Sanford Gears and Isabel Fry who were also born in Providence. Martha Boon was the daughter of Lucy Boon according to the Registry of Free Negroes of Petersburg for 1839-1850, no. 5090.