Samuel Jones 1756 - 1839
  • New Information for March 2004
  • More Dinwiddie County, Virginia info.
  • Samuel Jones on 1782 tax record

 CHAPTER 7D

 

Samuel Jones                                                                                                                                                                                                     

    Born 3 September 1756, Virginia              

    Married:  Nancy Wilmuth Lewis

    Died:  One source states 28 September 1839 and another buried 1853 at Morgan County, Illinois (from SAR Graves Registration) at the Pascal Farm Cemetery near Markham, Morgan County, Illinois.  Grandson Lewis W. Jones II stated Samuel died in 1839.

    Parents:  No reasonable proof exists for an earlier generation at this time.

 

Nancy Wilmoth (also Wilmuth) Lewis

    Born:  estimated in the1760 range

    Died:  1852, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois.  Date in question.

    Parents: unknown

               2nd Edition, Morphew-Murphy Story, by J.R. Murphy, 10 January 2005

 

            This chapter is divided into the following parts:

 

1.  Status on Information for Earlier Generations

2.  Our Samuel + Nancy (Lewis) Jones

3.  Revolutionary War years

4.  Remaining Years in Virginia to ~1802 Dinwiddie County

5.  Christian County, Kentucky, ~1803 to 1830’s

6.  Morgan County, Illinois, 1830’s to 1839

7.  Pension Records for Samuel Jones

8.  Children of Samuel + Nancy (Lewis) Jones

9.  Census and County tax records for the Jones family    

 

1.  STATUS ON INFORMATION FOR EARLIER GENERATIONS

 

            Parents were recently reported to be Samuel Jones, (Sr.) (12 August 1720 Surry County, Virginia, Christening in 1721 Henrico County, Virginia and died 4 April 1775 Rowan County, N.C.) and wife, Sarah Williams (born about 1725).  Reported brothers and sisters were:  (i) Hardy H. Jones (~1747); (ii) Sarah Jones (20 March 1758), who married 1st William Pearson and 2nd Edward Richard Jacks; (iii) Lucretia Jones; (iv) John Jones, (v) Roland Jones, (vi) Robert Jones, (vii) Mathew Jones; (viii) Elizabeth Jones, (ix) Silvey Jones.  There are earlier generations also suggested – see ancestry.com for these entries.

 

Jerald L. Hemphill e-mail (3 October 2002):  “I am working with a direct descendant who has old family letters and bibles as well as some of the records you mentioned here (refers to Samuel Jones’ and family in Christian County, Kentucky).  The link to Samuel Jones, Sr. still needs positive proof.  Common threads, so to speak, lead me to make the link but I did jump the gun (without) having definitive records.  I am staying in touch with several who are working on the some route.”

 

             Apparently this Samuel Jones (born 1720) is found in Rowan County, North Carolina deeds in 1765 and tax lists 1768+.  He died there in 1775 with a 6 April 1775 probate. His sons, Hardy, Matthew, Samuel, Rowland Jones lived there, and show interaction between one another.  What happens to his son, Samuel Jones Jr., is not clear, but one speculates this Samuel would have joined the American Revolution as a soldier from North Carolina, rather than from Virginia as our Samuel Jones did. 

 

2.  OUR SAMUEL JONES (1756 TO 1839)

 

       The discovery of our Samuel Jones for this family corner came in 2000.   Lewis W. Jones II stated in an interview that his father “Lewis W. Jones was born in Virginia, son of Samuel Jones, also a native of that State, and a veteran and pensioner at the Revolutionary War.  Samuel Jones died in Illinois in 1839.  He was a farmer by occupation, and in religion was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.”  (From “History of Texas: together with a Biographical History of Tarrant and Parker Counties, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1895 and kindly pointed out by Dana Luttrull in his web-posting.)

 

               THE YEARS BEFORE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

 

       Nothing is known, except that Samuel Jones was a “native of that State (Virginia).”  

(From "History of Texas, Together With a Biographical History of Tarrant and Parker Counties, 1895 (pages 250-252), under heading of Lewis Westmoreland Jones II.

 

                                   3.  REVOLUTIONARY WAR YEARS                         

 

      Samuel Jones enlisted 17 February 1776 and served two years as a private in:

                 Captain Thomas Ruffin’s 6th Company, of

                 Colonel Mordecai Buckner’s 6th Virginia Regiment.

                             (These names will appear again)

  

         Nine infantry regiments were raised in Virginia between the dates of July 1775 to February 1776 for defense.  Thereafter the Continental Congress incorporated these units on 13 February 1776 under the command of General George Washington.

 

     Field Officers for the 6th Virginia Regiment were

               Colonel Mordecai Buckner, who served February 13, 1776 to February 9, 1777.        

               Colonel John Gibson, from October 27, 1777 to September 14, 1778. 

               Lieutenant Colonels were:

                       Thomas Elliott, (February 1776 to September 1776, who may have been

                                     Jones’s battalion commander after Buckner)

                       James Hendricks, (August 1776 to September 1777).

                       Charles Simms, (September 1777 to September 1778).

 

      The 6th Virginia Regiment went into training at the Colonial Capital of Williamsburg, Virginia.  The town was described as a relative backwater holding the seat of government and the Collage of William and Mary.  Williamsburg had one main street, lined with about 100 wooden houses.

 

     An orderly book was discovered which covered a five month period of the American Army while they were stationed at or near Williamsburg, Virginia, from 18 March 1776 to 28 August 1776.  This book had entries from Andrew Lewis, Brigadier General and Commander in Chief of the Virginia troops, and his staff.  This is the same Lewis who commanded the Battle at Point Pleasant (now West Virginia) in October 1774.  (From: “The Orderly Book of that Portion of the American Army Stationed at or near Williamsburg, Virginia under the Command of General Andrew Lewis from March 18, 1776 to August 28, 1776,” published 1860, with notes by Charles Campbell.)

 

                          Selected entries in the order book relate:

 

     Williamsburg, Headquarters, March 20th, 1776:  It is expected that every officer will attend their parade at roll calling morning and evening.  Guards are to be increased tomorrow with an officer, a sergeant, and 18 men.  Officers for the day tomorrow are Captain Ruffin, Lieutenant Clay, and Ensign Burrell.    Captain Ruffin to find 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 15 privates.

 

     March 21st, 1776:  Observing that some officers appear on parade without their fuzees (lighted stick), it is expected that no such neglect will happen in the future.  Officers for guard tomorrow will be Lt. Crump, Lt. Upshaw, and Ensign Dawson.  Captain Ruffin to find 1 sergeant and 14 privates.

 

     March 24th, 1776:  Parole – Buckner.  The troop will attend Church this afternoon at 3 o’clock near the capital.  Captain Ruffin to find 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 14 privates for guard tomorrow.

 

     March 25th, 1776:  Officer of the day tomorrow – Captain Ruffin.

 

     Regimental Orders for the 6th Battalion, April 1, 1776:  A return to be given in this evening at retreat, beating of all the (black) smiths and they are to be paraded by themselves in the front of the Battalion, likewise the carpenters, return likewise of all arms that want repair.  Field Officer for the day tomorrow – Buckner.   Officers for the Day tomorrow (includes) Captain Ruffin.  Captain Ruffin to find 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 13 privates (for guard duty).

 

     Williamsburg, Head Quarters, April 2, 1776:  You are to (take) out of your Brigade 200 men for fatigue (nonmilitary duty or work done by the soldiers, such as cleaning up the camp or repairing roads).   They are to hold themselves in readiness to parade by the capital on the Pioneers March Beating where they will be attended with officers to direct them on the public work they are to perform.   Two Captains and 200 men for fatigue to parade every morning with the Guard, they will receive their instruments on the Parade, the commanding Officers of the fatigue party to be answerable for the tools.   R.O.  The Captains of the 6th Battalion to make out payrolls for the companies to the 28th of February including the Cadets.  The pay of the officers and men are to be agreeable to the ordinance of convention.  The Captains of such companies to see that their drummers and fifers provided drum and fifes.  Captain Ruffin tomorrow for guard with 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 8 privates for fatigue.

 

     Williamsburg, Head Quarters, April 3, 1776:  It is recommended to the Colonels to make their men appear as uniform as possible in their dress, that their hats shall be cut, all cocked in saffron, that their hair be likewise cut exactly the same length.  When the regiments are under arms, the officers to appear in hunting shirts, the officers as well as men to dye their shirts in an uniform manner.  R.O.  The Captains of the 6th Battalion together with the other officers are immediately to provide themselves with a hunting shirt, short and fringed, the men’s shirts to be short and plain, the Sergeant’s shirts to have small white cuffs and plain, the drummers shirts to be with dark cuffs.   Both officers and soldiers to have hats cut round and bound with black; the brims of their hats to be two inches deep and cocked on one side, with a button and loop and cockades, which is to be worn on the left.  Neither man nor officers to do duty in any other uniform.   The officers and soldiers are to wear their hair short and as near as like as possible.

 

     Williamsburg, Head Quarters, April 7, 1776:  R.O. All the men and officers of the 6th Battalion to parade this afternoon at 4 o’clock to hear the articles of war read.  A list to be given in of all the blacksmiths this afternoon to the Colonel of the 6th Regiment, specifying the companies they belong to.

 

     Head Quarters, April 9, 1776.  R.O. The Reverend William Dunlap is appointed chaplain and Robert Rofe as surgeon to the 6th Battalion and are to be obeyed as such.

 

     April 11, 1776:  All the officers of the 6th Battalion are informed that the Corps of Captain Thomas Ruffin are to be entered this afternoon at 3 o’clock were the companies are deferred with those of the soldiers who chose to attend.

 

     Williamsburg, April 21, 1776:  Field Officer for the day tomorrow – Colonel Buckner.  Brigadier General Lewis is happy to find himself with part of the army from whom he has all the inclination imaginable to believe that their country will have reason to be satisfied with their service and more so under the conduct of Major General Lee.

 

     April 23, 1776:  A court martial to set immediately for the trial of John Hogan of the 6th Regiment.

 

     April 29, 1776:  A court martial to set tomorrow at 10 o’clock for the trial of Mitchell  Floyd of the 6th Regiment.

 

     May 14, 1776:  The many applications for furloughs makes it necessary for Brigadier General Lewis to mention in orders as improper in our critical situation, and hope that no requests of this kind for the future, until circumstances will (permit).

 

     Great Spring, May 24, 1776:  Each commanding officer of the companies are to receive 12 rounds of ammunition for each man in the company.

 

     Great Spring, May 25, 1776:  No person is to fire a gun within hearing of the camp.

 

     Great Spring, June 3, 1776:  Mr. Simon Summers is appointed Adjutant of the 6th Battalion. 

 

     Spring Field, June 16, 1776:  As the sentinels have of late made a practice of firing in the night at nothing, the officers on guard will for the future give them a caution about discharging their muskets, which they are by no means to do unless at an enemy.

 

     Spring Field, June 18, 1776:  As gaming is a vice, I do hereby warn all officers and soldiers that they will be punished for such offense.

 

     Williamsburg, June 19, 1776:  Lt. Nathaniel Fox to do duty as Captain to the late Thomas Ruffins Company.

 

     Spring Field, June 27, 1776:  The 3rd and 6th Regiments to hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice.

 

     Williamsburg, July 26, 1776:  Colonel Buckner will please order a fatigue proposed to his number of men to work on the road from Burwell’s Ferry to Williamsburg at such a place as he shall judge proper.

 

     R.O. Deep Spring, August 21, 1776.  All the troops in the 6th Regiment in camp to be paraded tomorrow at 7 o’clock forenoon with their arms and accoutrements, which I expect will be in the best order, in order to be mustered.  Commanding officers of companies to have their muster rolls ready and to be very exact in making them out.   (End of useable material in the order book)

 

     September to December 1776:  Most of the 6th Virginia Battalion were ill in September.  By December their numbers reporting for duty were 25 officers and 166 soldiers.  (from “A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations in the American Revolution 1774-1787 by E.M. Sanchez-Saaiedra,Virginia State Library 1978.

 

     BATTLE OF TRENTION:  In December, the 6th Battalion was assigned to General Stephen’s Brigade.   General Washington was now confronted with losing massive troops to enlistment expiration by 31 December, leaving him with only 1400 troops.  He had just retreated from Fort Lee to New Brunswick, to Princeton, to Trenton, New Jersey, and  then across the Delaware to avoid Cornwallis. The American cause couldn’t look worse.  Using part of Lee’s Army and other soldiers, Washington ferried his troops back across the ice-choked Delaware River on a stormy and cold Christmas Night and at 4 am he made a surprise attack capturing British troops at Trenton.   A council of war was immediately held by Washington with his commanders on whether to push on to Princeton, but Generals Sullivan, Stirling, Mercer, St. Clair, and Stephen opposed it.  Washington and his troops withdrew again across the Delaware.

 

     After the Battle of Trenton, the 6th Virginia was assigned to General Weedon’s brigade.   From the middle of January for about six months, the military activity became fairly quiet.   9 February 1777, command at headquarters “cashiered” Field Officer Colonel Mordecai Buckner (6th Virginia Regiment) for cowardice, details not known at this time. 

 

     BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE:  In September 1777, British General Howe’s troops  landed at the head of Chesapeake Bay.  On the 10th, Washington placed his troops at Brandywine River at Chad’s Ford, some 12 miles west of Wilmington.  General Nathaniel Green’s own division now composed in part of Muhlenberg’s and Weedon’s Virginia brigades took the center, and those units of Stirling and Stephen on the right wing.  At this point, Howe divided his army into two detachments.  One force directly attacked the American Forces at the Brandywine River and the other circled across and river and back flanked in their rear.  

 

      Between 4 and 5 o’clock Washington ordered Green and his two brigades of Virginians to come to Sullivan’s aid across the river with the utmost possible speed.  “Green lost no time, and marched his men toward the south of the firing, most of the way at double quick, and covering nearly four miles of road in 45 minutes.  When he arrived... Sullivan, Stirling, and Lafayette were in full retreat.  Greene opened his ranks to let the fugitives pass through, and then retired slowly and in good order before Cornwallis, contesting every inch, and using his artillery to great advantage.  After falling back in this manner about half a mile, he came to a narrow pass in the road well secured on each side by woods.  Here he made a determined stand and held his own until twilight against a force fully three times more numerous than his own.  During his defense some order was established in his rear, and finally as night came on, Greene withdrew.   The American loss was estimated at 300 killed and 600 wounded; the dead were left on the field and the greater part of the wounded were made prisoners.”  From “General Greene,” by Francis Vinton Greene, 1893.

 

        Thomas Ruffin, commander of the 6th Company, was killed at the Battle of Brandywine.

 

     Three weeks later, General Green became the left wing of Washington’s army at the BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN.  Nothing is known on how the Virginia regiment faired time, but 152 Americans were killed, 521 wounded, and they lost again.   

 

     After this, one might wonder if Jones’s unit spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, before he was mustered out of his two year service on 17 February 1778.    Sam Jones saw much military action and he was one of the lucky to survive the ordeal.   He deserves to be remembered!     

    

4.  REMAINING YEARS IN VIRGINIA ABOUT 1779 - 1804

 

       Sam stated he left his discharge papers in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and this is all that is known.  Dinwiddie is a "burned county" which means most county records no longer exist before the year 1820.  However a few did....

 

     There is a Samuel Jones in Dinwiddie County, Virginia.  Yearly Dinwiddie personal property taxes were saved beginning the year 1782.  Names were grouped by letter, i.e. "J" for everyone whose name began with "J" but not further indexed by alphabet.  

 

            1782: There are 14 Jones recorded on this list. Samuel Jones, 1 tithe, 2 horses and 2 cattle.  Entry above his name was Mary Jones with slave "Sarah, no tithes, 1 negro, 1 horse, and 9 cattle.  Two names above was Matthew Jones.

 

            On this same tax year, the following Lewis names were found:  Edward Lewis, Thomas Lewis, William Lewis, Joseph Lewis with William Lewis (probably a son), John Lewis, Miles Lewis, James Lewis.  An isolated 1810 will does exist for William Lewis, naming his wife Lucy Lewis, daughter Fanny B. Lewis Breman and son William Lewis.

 

            1783: Sam Jones was not found on this list.

 

            1784: Samuel Jones, 1 tithes, 2 horses, 6 cattle;  One entry above him is Matthew Jones, and one entry below is "for" Mary Jones with black "Sarey," underage, 1 horse and 1 cow.  All three had their taxables taken by Frederick Jones, one of many.

 

            Dinwiddie County Court Case 20 March 1784, James Geddy (complainant) versus Fisher Lenior and Samuel Jones (defendants):  Court determined the petitioner to recoverfrom the defendants their debt of 2 pounds, six shillings, nine pence with interest and lawyer's fee.

 

            1785: Taxables taken by Fredk. Jones, Gent, District #4:  Samuel Jones - 1 tithe, 2 horses, 4 cattle.  Next on the list is "for" Mary Jones, Sarah, 1 black proper age, 1 horses, and 9 cattle.

 

            1785, November 28:  Dinwiddie Petition Against Assessment Bill:  Included signature of – Samuel Jones 

 

            1786:  names in sequence:

                        Samuel Jones - 1 tithe, 0 blacks, 0 underage blacks, 2 horses, 2 cattle.

                        Mary Jones, Sarah, with 1 black under age, 1 horse, 9 cattle. 

                        Matthew Jones, Jack Sarah, Esther, Rachel, Dick, Frank,Charles 1-3-4-2-9

 

            1786, October 31:  Petition of Inhabitants of Dinwiddie County – Act for incorporation of the Protestant Episcopal Church may not be repealed.  Signatures include:  Samuel Jones.    

 

            1787: Taken by William Watts, names in sequence

                        Samuel Jones 0-0-0- 2-2  (notice no white tithe this time)

                        Matthew Jones with black names and 1-2-3-5-8 (now white male tithes, blacks 16+, blacks 12-16, horses, cattle)

                        "for Mary Jones," Sarah 0-1-0-1-8

 

            From 1788 to 1791, there is no Samuel Jones.  However, in 1788 Mary Jones is two entries from Matthew Jones.  In 1791, tax records for Matthew Jones and Mary Jones were taken the same day – 22 April 1791, suggesting close proximity.   There is now a second (Mrs.) Mary Jones elsewhere, whose tax record is quite different.

 

            1792:  Samuel Jones, Samuel Jones. 0-0-0-0.  Adjacent names are now different.  Numbers now refer to number of blacks above 16, blacks 12-16, horses, carriages.  The first Samuel Jones is the head of household, second Samuel Jones refers the adult white male(s) on the tax.  He is not on 1793 list, but it looks to be incomplete.

 

Comment:  Sam no longer appears near Matthew Jones and we do lose track of Mary Jones.  Did Sam Jones return to a new location or is this a different Sam Jones.      

 

            1794:  Samuel Jones, Samuel Jones, 1-0-1-0, there are more zeros

                        Next to George Jones, George Jones 2-0-2-0

 

            1795 and 1796 (same):  Samuel Jones, Samuel Jones 0-0-1-0

 

            1797:  Samuel Jones 0-0-0-0.  Samuel Jones was taxes for 69 acres converted from Moody Harris (Last item from "Land Records of Dinwiddie County 1752-1820," by Thomas P. Hughes, Jr. and Jewel B. Standefer.)

 

            1798:  Samuel Jones 0-0-1-0-0.  The "1" is for horses.  There is a 2nd Samuel Jones who does not appear again: 3-1-2-0-1

 

            1799:  Samuel Jones, Samuel Jones, free DIVE? Diver 1-0-1-0

 

            1800:  Samuel Jones, Samuel Jones 1-0-1-0

 

            1801:  (June 6) Samuel Jones, Samuel Jones, William Jones 0-0-1-0

Comment:  Who is this William Jones?  Could our estimated year of birth be wrong?

            1802:  (April 10) Samuel Jones, Samuel Jones, William Jones 0-0-2-0.  Sam does not appear again on the tax records.                

 

1798 – 1802:  Jones was again taxed in 1798 to 1802 on 49.5 acres, with conversion (sale) of 19.5 acres to Joseph Crowder.  Crowder's acreage became 19.5 + 204 = 223.5 acres.  In 1814-1817 Crowder was taxed on 223 acres, recorded as near Stage Road and "7 miles SE of the Court House."  In 1818-1820, Crowder transferred 50 of his 223 acres to John Mingge.  Mingge or Mingee in 1818-1820 was taxed on his 50 acres, recorded near Stage Road and 12 miles SW the courthouse."  Despite the mileage difference from the courthouse, these entries give us our best location for Sam Jones.  This location should be near the Nottoway River which serves as a southwestern boundary for the county.     

 

            Many other Jones are in this county, but what is striking is a Lewis Jones, who is taxed in 1788-1790 on 279 acres, on land converted from “Reubin Westmoreland.” Two other Westmorelands of Dinwiddie County have deeds with Drury Jones (in 1798), Joseph Jones (in 1819) and John Jones (in 1791).  There are also entries for a Matthew Jones.  His property line is noted adjacent to a Colonel John Jones' Virginia Land Patent survey for seventeen acres of Bath Parish, Dinwiddie County on 28 November 1772.  A John Jones, Jr. had a Virginia Land Patent for 537 acres on the north side of Nottoway River, lying on both sides of Beaver Pond Creek in 1734, which is SW of the Court House.  This land was registered in that part of old Prince George County which became Dinwiddie County.  There seems to be all sorts of useful clues to research in this county, despite the courthouse burning and lost records.  Unfortunately, Prince George County has lost many of its records and is difficult to research without a better handle on earlier Jones.

 

5. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KENTUCKY (~1803 TO 1830’S)

           

            Samuel Jones had two Kentucky land grants in Christian County (Sr. or Jr. were not given):

 

           

17 August 1803, Samuel Jones, 280 acres, Sinking Fork of Little River (book 16, from Kentucky Land Grants, Volume 1, Part 1, Chapter IV Grants South of Green River (1797-1866), The Counties of Kentucky, page 343.

           

4 June 1812, Samuel Jones, 53 acres, Sinking Fork of Little River, Kentucky Land Grant, (book 17, same above source).

 

_ January 1830, Samuel Jones, of Christian County, deeds to Henry Jones, of Christian County, Kentucky, 150 acres, part of 280 acres patented to Samuel Jones 23 September 1815 of the Sinking Fork of Little River, lying in Christian County.   Signed Samuel (“x”) Jones, Witnessed by Abram Stiles and James Nichols.  (deed book S, page 34). 

  

 

Samuel Jones is on the 1810, 1820 and 1830 U.S. Census for Christian County, Kentucky.  In 1810, his sons, Lewis Jones and Samuel B. Jones are near him.  In the 1820 Census, there are two Lewis Jones, one in Trigg County and one Christian County.  The Christian County Lewis Jones fits well our Jones, and the adjacent Trigg County Lewis Jones may well be a false entry, as nothing is recorded there for him.  

 

            The exact location in Christian County for Samuel Jones is not identified.  He lived on the Sinking Fork which flows from the north-central to west-central part of the county into Trigg County to empty into the Little River, just west of the Trigg County seat of Cadiz.  Little River finally empties into the Cumberland River.  No deeds were found for our Jones in Trigg County.   During the years 1809 to 1812, tax records note he has additional lands on or near the Tradewater River (which flows North to the Ohio River), and probably was living near Isham Bobbitt, Sr, who was reported living on the headwaters of the Tradewater River, 1 mile northwest of Kelly, Kentucky.   Kelly is 7.8 miles due-north of the center point of Hopkinsville.

 

One other clue to his location is found the 3 January 1825 Christian County court records:  On motion of David Ladd be appointed Surveyor of that part of the road leading from Hopkinsville to the Saline commencing at a marked Red Oak and continuing to the Muddy Fork...beginning at the Sand Lick Fork at or near...to S. Bobbetts...to the nearest part of Street’s boundary line or precinct on the Saline road thence along said line to Samuel Jones, thence....”   The name “Saline Road” does not appear on the Kentucky Atlas and Gazetteer, but one may speculate that its refers to present-day State Highway 109 which exits Hopkinsville, heading northwest and crosses both the Sand Lick Fork, Muddy Fork, and Sinking Fork   This Samuel Jones may be his son, Samuel Bennett Jones.

 

Mention must be made concerning another Samuel Jones + Elizabeth, his wife, in Christian County, who lived on the Middle Fork of the Red River which is along the present-day eastern boundary of southern Christian County.   He has a large plantation with up to 19 slaves and his first deed (15 March 1817) states he was living in Buckingham County, Virginia, and by September 1830, he sells the last of his Christian County lands, and is noted living in Franklin County, Alabama.     

 

6.  MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS (1830’S TO 1839)

 

     At this time, little is known except that Samuel died here, with the date given as 1839 and he is reported to be buried at the Pascal Farm Cemetery near Markham, Morgan County, Illinois.  Jerald Hemphill, on a web listing, suggests the cemetery location to be NE ½ NW (this is confusing and may not be written correctly) of Section 17, Township 15 North, Range 11 West.  However the rest of the description exists and in the U.S. Dept. of Interior Geological Survey, 1983, section 17 begins 1 mile west of the landmark of Markam by following the road west out of Markam.  This road enters the east end of Section 17 halfway between the imaginary eastern boundary edge (1/2 mile road, so to speak).  There is a “Williams Landing Strip in the northwest quadrant of the section, but little else in the square mile.  No cemetery is marked in Section 17, which raises questions – despoiled or elsewhere?    

 

Isham Bobbitt, whose family is intertwined with the Jones and Christmans, was also buried at the Pascal Farm Cemetery, but later the grave was moved to nearby Chapin Cemetery.  This cemetery is mapped out to be one mile northwest of Section 17 on or near Illinois State Route 104, about 1000 feet west of the Mauvaise Terre River Bridge.  Could this be a clue for Sam Jones?

 

                               7.  PENSION RECORDS FOR SAMUEL JONES   

        

     American Revolution Pension Rolls for 1835 (#S13554):  Samuel Jones

        Christian County, Kentucky, Private      

        Virginia Line

        $96 annual allowance; $175.22 amount received

        May 18, 1819, pension started; suspended.

             $80 annual allowance

             $160 amount received

             restored June 7, 1832, age 78

 

     Pension records exist and this from the National Archives summarizes the findings:

“from the papers in the Revolutionary war pension claim, S. 13554, it appears that Samuel Jones was born  September 23, 1756, place not stated.  He enlisted, February 17, 1776 as a private in Captain Ruffin’s Company, Colonel Buckner’s Sixth Virginia Regiment and served two years.  He was allowed a pension on his application, executed May 8, 1818 while a resident of Christian County, Kentucky.  He stated he had left his discharge in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, but did not state he resided there.  Respectfully, Vinfield Scott, Commissioner,” 20 November 1928.   Notation: “date of death not on AB.”

    

     SAR Revolutionary War Graves Register/2000 edition: “Samuel Jones, soldier, Virginia.  Died 1853, Pascal Farm Cemetery near Markham, Morgan County, Illinois.”  There are a total of 26 Samuel Jones registered and this is the only known one buried in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.  Morgan County, Illinois was a settlement location for related Jones and Bobbits.

 

8. CHILDREN OF SAMUEL JONES AND NANCY LEWIS

 

         Specific marriage dates are county records, and further proof is needed to link marriages to the correct Jones’ clan.  Some birth dates are only approximations.

 

(I).  Nancy Jones was born 1783 and died 1855.  She married on 7 July 1809 Christian County, Kentucky to John Robertson (born 13 August 1777).  Christian County marriage bond states: 27 October 1808, Matthew Robertson to Nancy Jones, but no signatures noted on the bond, as recorded at the Hopkinsville Library.  There is a John Roberson listed on the 1810 U.S. Census of Christian County next to Samuel Jones, Samuel B. Jones and Lewis Jones, and the name “John” must be the correct one.  Robertson is thought to be the brother of Sally Robertson, who married Samuel B. Jones.  

 

(II). Lewis Westmoreland Jones, born 14 April 1784 and died 28 September 1839.  Married Francis “Fannie” Bobbitt on 13 April 1809 at Christian County, Kentucky (county record).  Their marriage bond was signed by Lewis Jones and William Bobbitt.  Fannie is reported to be the daughter of Isham Bobbitt.  Of Isham’s 6 daughters, 4 marriage bonds were found, with 2 signed by William Bobbitt in 1809 and 1812 and two signed by Isham Bobbitt in 1811. This does raise questions, but may not be important.  See next generation chapter for more details on Lewis W. Jones.

 

(III). Thomas Jones was born 1783 and died 26 February 1863 at Morgan County, Illinois.   Thomas married Elizabeth “Betsy” Bobbitt on 11 March 1812 at Christian County, Kentucky (county record).   Their marriage bond, dated 10 March 1812, was signed by Thomas (“x”) Jones and William Bobbitt.  Elizabeth was born about 1788 and is the sister of Francis Bobbitt.  Thomas Jones’ will was witnessed by John G. Bobitt.  They lived in the following locations:

 

1812, 1813, 1814, and 1817 Christian County, Kentucky tax record

            1830 U.S. Census of Morgan County, Illinois, near Stephan Bobbitt.

            1840 Morgan County, Illinois, as Thomas “James,” adjacent to Westmoreland “James” (Jones misspelled?). 

 

(IV). Wilmoth (or Wilmuth) Jones, born 1785.  County Records states that a Joseph McKinney married “Wilmuth Jones” on 2 February 2, 1815 at Christian County, Kentucky. No marriage bond was found, but doesn’t mean there isn’t one.  A 20 December 1817 Christian County Survey Book entry notes for Lewis W. Jones, identification of his dark bay filly, 2 years old, with the appraisers to be Joseph McKinney and Thomas Jones.  Furthermore, the uniqueness of her name probably assures the link.   Joseph McKinney was a purchaser at the Christian County estate of Hampton Wade, deceased, recorded September term 1816.

 

(V). William Jones, born 1786.  Records show a William Jones married (1) Betsy Gray on 21 February 1809 at Christian County, Kentucky (county record).  Their marriage bond is dated 21 February 1809 and was signed by William Jones and John Waldrop, but does not give us proof of this marriage link.  (There is also a Christian County bond between William Jones and Polly West on March 1808, with no signatures given in the resource book).  William Jones is reported to have married 2nd to Nancy __.  In the 1830 U.S. Census of Christian County, William Jones is listed next to Samuel Jones.

 

(VI).  Samuel Bennett Jones, born 1787.  He married 1st to Agnes “Sally” Robertson on 28 November 1807 at Christian County, Kentucky and (2) Elizabeth __.   Proof that this marriage belongs to our Jones is this:  Christian County Deed, 20 September 1828 between Samuel B. Jones and wife Sally Jones, who was the late Sally Robertson, sells to ?alsom Robertson for $45, land on waters of Muddy Fork of Little River, being a tract assigned Robertson family 20 December 1811. 

 

On 13 June 1813, “Bennett Jones, living on the waters of Sinking Fork in Christian County, registers his brand and identification for 1 sandy sow and 6 shoats (pigs), the sow marked with a crop of the right and an underbit in the shoats a crop of the right and a slit in the left, appraised at $6.50 by Lewis Jones.” A copy Ben D. Campbell, J.P. (From Christian County Survey Book )  

 

On the November term 1819, the Christian County, Kentucky Court Order Book “F” mentions “Samuel Jones...as fit and qualified person for Justice of the Peace for this county.”   It is also possible this Samuel Jones could be the Red River’s Sam Jones.

 

Samuel B. Jones is noted in the following locations:

 

            1809 – 1815 Christian County, Kentucky tax record

1824 Center Precinct, Morgan County, Illinois voter list

1827, January 8, Samuel B. Jones, Illinois Public Land Grant, Morgan County, E2NW, Section 17, Township 15 North, Range 11 West: also land in Section 8, on 27 October 1835. 

1840 U.S. Census of Morgan County, Illinois.  There are two Samuel Jones listed

 in this census, he may be the one in Ancestry.com image 24, or census page 402. 

1850 U.S. Census of Morgan County, Illinois as:  Samuel Jones, age 64, born Virginia and wife Elizabeth, age 55, born Georgia. 

 

(VII).  John J. Jones, born 1789.  Records show a John Jones married Elizabeth Johnson on 19 September 1809 at Christian County, Kentucky.  Proof is needed to link to our Samuel Jones.   Marriage bond is dated for John Jones and Elizabeth Johnston on 16 September 1809, but signatures are missing on marriage bond book copy.  Another John J. Jones, of Christian County, is sold 415 acres of land 14 December 1824 on Little West Fork of Red River by Samuel Jones (not related).  This last John J. Jones was probably a son, and his family did not come to Christian County until 1817.  There is a “John Jones” in 1830 Morgan County, Illinois, one page from known relations, with 3 children, but no wife.  

 

(VIII).  Sarah Jones, born 1793.  Records show that a Sarah Jones married John Brown on 24 June 1813 at Christian County, Kentucky.  Their bond is dated 21 June 1813 and is signed by John Brown and William (“x”) Jones.  Until further evidence exists, one must consider that this Sarah Jones marriage belongs to a non-related Jones family.  

 

(IX).  Mary (Polly) Jones, born 1795.  Records show that a Mary Jones married John Ladd on 9 September 1815 at Christian County, Kentucky.  Proof is needed to link to Samuel Jones.  Their marriage bond, dated 9 September 1815, states John Lad and Polly Jones, and was signed by Jno (“x”) “Lad” and Francis B. Ladd.  There is another marriage bond between William Baker and Polly Jones on 9 March 1818 and was signed by William Baker and Samuel Jones!   But which Samuel Jones???

 

(X).  Benjamin Jones, born 1796.  Records show that a Benjamin Jones married Betsy Varnier on 20 October 1816 at Christian County, Kentucky.  Their marriage bond was signed 19 October 1815 by Benjamin (“x”) Jones and Peter Varnier.  Further proof is needed to link this marriage record of Benjamin Jones to Samuel Jones.

 

(XI).  Henry T. Jones, born 1803.  Marriage records show a Henry Jones married a Nancy Flint on 1 May 1820 at Christian County, Kentucky.  Their marriage bond is dated 1 May 1820 and was signed by Henry Jones and James Beasley.  Proof of this marriage to our Henry Jones is needed.  Henry? Jones appears on the 1820 Christian County census, next to Samuel Jones (see census record).  Later Samuel Jones turned over his remaining lands to Henry in this deed to follow:

 

Samuel Jones, Christian County, deeds to Henry Jones for $300, 150 acres, part of 280 acres patented to Samuel Jones on 23 September 1815 on Sinking Fork of Little River, lying in Christian County.  Signed Samuel (“x”) Jones.  

           

            Beware that there is a Henry Jones, Sr. who received a Christian County land grant 13 October 1815 on Little River, and possibly the same person in newly organized 1820 Trigg County, with census listing him born before 1775.  There is much to be confused about, including H.T. Jones’ birth date, which could be earlier.  

 

9.  Census and County Tax Records for Samuel Jones and Children

(and points of confusion)

 

1810 U.S. Census of Christian County, Kentucky.  There are many Jones in this county, but the following 4 are listed next to each other (image 34, ancestry.com, page 571)

 

Samuel Jones: 1 female 0-<10; 3 males + 1 female 10-<16 2 males 16<26; 1 male + 1 female 45+.  Next is:

 

John Roberson: 1 male 0-<10; 1 male + 1 female 16-<26.  Next entry:

 

Samuel B. Jones: 1 male + 1 female 0-<10; 1 male + 1 female 16<26.  Next entry:

 

Lewis Jones: 1 female 0-<10; 1 female 16<26; 1 male 26-<45

 

1820 U.S. Census of Christian County, Kentucky, Image 14

 

Thomas Jones: 1 male + 2 females 0-<10; 1 male + 1 female 26-<45; next entry is:

 

Lewis Jones:  4 males + 1 female 0-<10; 1 female 10-<16 1 male + 1 female 26-<45.  Three entries away is:

 

Henry(?) Jones: 1 male + 1 female 16-<26.  Next to him is:

 

Samuel Jones 1 female 10-<16 1 male 16-<26; 1 male + 1 female 45+

 

1820 U.S. Census of Trigg County, Kentucky, image 1

 

Lewis Jones: 1 male 0-<10; 3 males and 1 female 10-<16; 1 male 16-18; 1 male + 1 female 16-<26; 1 male + 1 female 45+.  Five entries next is:

 

William Jones:  2 males + 2 females 0-<10; 1 female 10-<16; 1 female 16-<26; 1 male 26-<45.  Next entry is:

 

Joseph Jones: 3 males + 1 female 0-<10; 1 male 10-<16; 1 male + 1 female 16-<26; 1 male + 1 female 45+

 

1830 U.S. Census of Christian County, Kentucky:

 

            Samuel Jones, 1 male and 1 female 70->80, 1 female 15-<20; 1 female 20-<30; (Image 11) Next to him is:

 

            William Jones: 3 males + 1 female 0-<5; 1 female 5-<10; 1 female 15-<20; 1 male + 1 female 20-<30. (Image 11)

 

            Henry Jones: 1 male 0-<5; 2 males + 1 male 5-<10; 1 male + 1 female 30-<40. (Image 13)

 

            Isham Bobbitt: 1 male + 1 female 0-<5; 1 female 20-<30; 1 male 30-<40.  (Image 13)

 

1830 U.S. Census of Morgan County, Illinois:

 

            An explanation is needed here for tracking Bobbits (or Bobbitt) and Christmans (Chrisman) in this census.  Five children of Isham Bobbitt (born 1754) married the following: (1) Stephen Bobbitt (1779) married Barbara Christman; (2) Michael Christman married Sarah (Sally) Bobbitt (1794); (3) John Christman married Nancy Bobbitt (1790 or 1796); (4) Lewis W. Jones married Francis “Fanny” Bobbitt (1787), (5) Thomas Jones (1784) married Elizabeth “Betsy” Bobbitt (1785).  They all migrate from Kentucky to Morgan County, Illinois, and live near each other.   

 

            Page 92:  John Jones; 2 males 0-<5; 1 male 5-<10; 1 female 20-<30; 1 male 40-<50.

 

            Page 93, image 77:  Thomas Jones; 1 male + 1 female 5-<10; 2 females 10-<15; 1 male 15-<20; 1 male + 1 female 40-<50:  next entry is:

 

            Page 93:  John Pille; 1 male 0-<5; 1 female 15-<20; 1 male 20-<30.  Next entry is:

            Page 93: ??ce Jones; 2 females 0-<5; 2 females 5-<10; 1 female 20-<30; 1 male 30-<40.  Name could be Jon ?? or Joce ??.  Four entries away is:

 

            Page 93:  Stephen Bobbitt, 1 male 0-<5; 3 males 5-<10; 1 female 10-<15; 1 female 15-<20; 1 female 30-<40; 1 male 50-<60.

 

            Page 94:  James Jones; 2 males 0-<5; 2 male + 1 female 5-<10; 1 male + 2 females 10-<15; 1 male + 1 female 40-<50; two entries away is:

 

            Page 94:  William J. Bobbitt; 1 male + 1 female 0-<5; 2 males 5-<10; 1 male + 1 female 10-<15; 2 females 15-<20; 1 female 30-<40; 1 male 50-<60.  Two entries away:

 

            Page 94:  George Christman; 1 male + 1 female 30-<40.  In 1840, he is listed in Scott County, next to his father.  Scott County separated from Morgan in 1839 and neither probably moved.  Next 1830 entry is:

 

            Page 94:  George Christman; 1 female 10-<15; 1 male 15-<20; 1 female 50-<60; 1 male 60-<70.  Three entries away:

 

            Page 94:  Charles Christman:  1 female 10-<15; 1 female 15-<20; 1 male 20-<30.  Next entry is:

 

            Page 94:  Peter Christman:  2 females 0-<5; 1 male + 1 female 20-<30.  Next entry is:

 

            Page 94:  John Christman:  2 males 0-<5; 1 male + 2 females 5-<10; 2 males 10-<15; 1 female 15-<20; 1 male 20-<30; 1 male + 1 female 30-<40; 1 male + 1 female 70-<80.  Could these last two be Isham and Elizabeth Bobbitt?  Five entries next is:

 

            Page 94:  David Christman; 1 male + 1 female 20-<30

 

            Page 95:  Jacob Pile; 1 male + 2 females 0-<5; 3 males 5-<10; 1 female 15-<20; 1 male + 1 female 40-<50.  Next entry is:

 

            Page 95:  Jacob Christman; 1 male + 2 females 0<5; 1 male + 2 females 5-<10; 1 male 10-<15; 1 male + 1 female 20-<30.  Next entry is:

 

            Page 95:  Michael Christman; 1 male 0-<5; 1 male + 1 female 30-<40.  In 1840, he is listed in Scott County, Illinois adjacent to George Chrisman Sr. and Jr.

 

            Page 120:  Lewis Jones; 1 female 0-<5; 2 females 5-<10; 2 males 10-<15; 2 males 15-<20; 1 male 40-<50.    No wife is listed and notice that he is not close to the others.  

 

1840 U.S. Census of Morgan County, Illinois:

 

            Samuel Jones 1 male 0-<5; 1 male + 2 females 5-<10; 1 male + 2 females 15-<20; 1 male + 2 females 30-<40; 1 female 40-<50; 1 male 50-<60.  (image 24, page 402)

 

            Samuel Jones: 1 male + 2 females 0-<5; 2 males + 1 female 10-<15; 2 females 15-<20; 1 male + 1 female 20-<30; 1 female 30-<40; 1 male 40-<50; 1 male 60-<70. (image 32).  Seventeen entries away on same page is:

 

            John Chrisman:  1 male 5-<10; 1 male + 1 female 10-<15; 1 male + 1 female 15-<20, 1 male + 1 female 20-<30; 1 male + 1 female 40-<50.  (Page 435, Image 90).  There is no elderly couple now.

 

            Stephan Jones: 1 male + 2 females 0-<5; 1 male 10-<15; 2 females 15-<20; 1 male 20-<30; 2 females 30<40; 2 males 40-<50; 1 female 50-<60; 1 male 60-<70. (page 403)

 

            “Thomas James,” 1 male 10-<15; 1 male + 1 female 15-<20, 1 male + 1 female 20-<30; 1 male + 1 female 40-<50.  (image 128, page 454).  Next entry is:

 

            “Westmoreland James,” 2 males 0-<5, 1 female 5-<10, 1 male + 1 female 20-<30.  (image 128, page 454).  Next entry is:

 

            Joel? James, 1 male + 1 female 0-<5; 3 females 5-<10; 1 male + 3 females 10-<15; 1 female 15-<20; 1 male + 1 female 40-<50. (image 128, page 454)

 

            William Chrisman; 1 male 0-<5; 1 male + 1 female 20-<30.  ((image 131, page 456)

 

            Elizabeth Bobbit; 1 male 5-<10; 1 male + 1 female 10-<15; 2 males + 2 females 15-<20, 1 female 40-<50.

 

Christian County, Kentucky Tax Records for our Jones Families

 

There were 16 Jones families on the 1810 U.S. Census of Christian County, Kentucky, with only a few known to be related at this time.   Separation of so-called none-related Jones families was made on the basis of the river or creek which they lived on, a not-so-good way to sort out who belonged to who.  Generally, our Jones gang lived on the Sinking Fork of Little River (or nearby Muddy Fork) in the west-central or northwest part of the county; another group lived on Pond River in the northeast quadrant; another on far West end of Little River in the southwest quadrant or in center of the county; and an unrelated Samuel Jones + Elizabeth and his gang on West Fork of Red River along the present-day eastern boundary of southern Christian County.   The Jones listed below, in my opinion, belong to our group, unless indicated for a reason.  The question concerning a second Lewis Jones, is somewhat answered in the tax lists.  No second Lewis Jones appeared on these lists at any time.

 

Christian County tax lists, which begin in 1797, show a 12345 number system: 1-white males 21+; 2-white males 16-21; 3-blacks 16+; 4-total blacks, 5-horses, mares, cattle.  If the numbering system is only 1234, then white males 16-21 are omitted.  It appears the record keeper or transcriber sometimes becomes confused on rivers or streams.

 

1806:  Lewis W. Jones, 10001, -- --

           Samuel Jones, 11006, 280 acres Little River in South District

1807:  Samuel Jones 11006, 280 acres, Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones 10001, -- --

1808: 

1809:  Samuel Jones 1005, 280 acres Muddy Fork, 200 acres Tradewater River

           Samuel B. Jones 1001, 100 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones, 1002, 200 acres Sinking Fork

1810:  Samuel B. Jones 1002, 100 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones 1002, 300 acres Horse Creek

           Samuel Jones 1008, 280 Sinking Fork, 200 acres Tradewater

1811:  Samuel B. Jones 10002, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones 10002, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           Samuel Jones 11006, 280 Sinking Fork, 200 acres Tradewater

1812:  Samuel Jones 1007, 280 Little River, 200 acres Tradewater

           Samuel B. Jones 1002, 200 acres Little River

           Lewis Jones 1002, 200 acres Little River

           Thomas Jones 1003 -- --  (does he belong to us ??)

1813:  Samuel Jones, 1006, 280 acres Sinking Fork, 50 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones, 1002, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           Thomas Jones 1002, 140 acres Muddy Fork

1814:  Samuel Jones, 1006, 280 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones, 1002, 20 Sinking Fork

           Thomas Jones, 1002, 140 acres Muddy Fork

1815:  Samuel Jones, ? stats, 280 acres Sinking Fork, 50 acres Sinking Fork

           Samuel B. Jones, 1004, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones ? stats, 200 acres Sinking Fork

1816:  Lewis Jones 1003, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           Samuel Jones, 1207, 280 Sinking Fork, 83 acres Sinking Fork

           Bennett Jones, 1002, 100 acres Sinking Fork

1817:  Lewis Jones 1002, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           In 1817 to 1830, another Samuel Jones begins on the West Fork of Red River

           Thomas Jones 1002, 140 acres Sinking Fork

1819:  Lewis Jones, 1001, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           Samuel Jones, ? stats, 280 acres Sinking Fork, 53 acres Sinking Fork

           William Jones Jr. 1112 – 200 acres Sinking Fork (who is this!  He doesn’t show up again.  Think his river was a misprinted entry.)

1820:  Samuel Jones 1005, 280 acres Sinking Fork; 53 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones 1011, 200 acres Sinking Fork

           Thomas Jones 1003, 140 acres Sinking Fork

1821:  Samuel Jones, ? stats, 280 acres Sinking Fork; 53 acres Sinking Fork

           Lewis Jones, 1001, 20 Muddy Fork

1822:  Lewis Jones 1001, 200 acres, --

           Samuel Jones 1002, 280 acres –

End of available tax list, at least what was found in Hopkinsville Library 9/2002.