California 1850

The California gold fields attracted many to this part of the world.  For those with JONES surname it seemed to be so.  The index to the 1850 census reveals that every county except San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties had numerous Jones.  They were from many different places including : NY, VA, KY, VT, NJ, MO, OH, ME, DE, PA, MI, WI, CT, IL, MA, LA, TN, AL, MS, GA, IN, Wales, Great Britain, Ireland,  Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Mexico, and Canada.  What a melting pot indeed.  A real set of brick walls for those tree climbers.

The earliest Jones I could find in the Marriages of Sonoma Co., dated 10 Oct 1847.  It shows a William J. Reynolds marriage to Isabella Jones.  Isabella is a name appearing in my own family tree.  At any rate, you can begin to understand the web of branches that this state provides.

Source: Jones Journeys, Vol. 10, p. 639, under "Sonoma County, California, Marriages 1844 - 1860".  The 1850 census is given in  Jones Journeys, Vol. 6, pp 40-41 and p. 65 , and also found in Vol. 16, pp. 1548 - 1551.

Wisconsin 1848

The French were the first to settle this area in 1717.  After the French and Indian War, it became part of the British Empire until after the American Revolution when it became part of the Northwest Territory.  In 1800 it became part of the Indiana Territory, and a stream of northern European immigrants began to arrive from the 1830s.  It was April 4, 1832 that a Miles Jones married a Sally Crane at Jefferson, Ft. Atkinson.  You would know that a Jones would have to be among the early folks to arrive.  In 1841 Milwaukee, Julie B. Jones married Samuel I. Brooks [27 Sept] and Martha Jones married David Griffin [20 Jul].  The Wisconsin Territory was organized in 1836, and a state was formed 1848.  New places to land and settle, those Jones were.  Any folks out there related?

References taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. 13, 1985 - 1986,  pp.1059 - 1061 titled "Wisconsin Records".

Iowa 1846

Before Iowa became a State of the Union 1846, there is recorded a marriage between William S. Jones and Mary Legerd, 3 May, 1841.  This was located in Davis County, Iowa as recorded by Benton County, Iowa; Western Hist. Co., Chicago 1878.  This reference is taken from a submission to Jones Journeys, Vol. 12, Nov. 1984, p. 926 by Trudy Belcher.  Under "Davis County, Iowa, Marriages" it is listed. [Not sure when Davis Co. Iowa was officially formed?]  This is the earliest date that I have been able to discover for a Jones family.  In the 1850 census of Iowa, there are 20 Jones families listed among the counties that had been established.  There was even a "Jones County" with 4 Jones families recorded. [Isaac Jones (age 40) being born in TN is the oldest.]  Does anyone know the history of this "Jones County, Iowa".  Please post!

Texas 1845

The Mexican municipality it was called prior to 1836.  It is recorded that Eli Jones came to Texas in the fall of 1836, settling in Montgomery county.  Montgomery Co. is said to be created 1837 from Washington Co., that was formed from the Mexican municipality in 1836/37.  At any rate, Eli was a member of the "minute company" which was involved in early Texas military activity. [Remember the Alamo 1836!]

Marriage records show that a Sarah Jones m. Albert Gallatin 23 Oct. 1837 [Washington Co.], and that a Allen Jones m. Morias Stone 3 Jul. 1838 [Montgomery Co.]  Many other Jones marriages appear between 1838 - 1842.  All these are before Texas becomes a state in 1845.  Any JONES families related out there?  Bet there are lots of stories here.

References:

Jones Journeys, Vol. I, August 1973, p. 31-32.
Jones Journeys, Vol. 13, August 1985, p.1036.

Florida 1845

On March 3, 1845, Florida was the twenty-seventh State to be admitted to the Union.  The Spanish word "florida" means "blooming" and was named by those early Spanish explorers Ponce de Leon, De Narvaez, and De Soto. 

The first JONES to be recorded appear in the 1840 census of Florida.  Not sure why it is recorded as the 1840 census, but Washington Co., Jackson Co., and Columbia Co., Florida are listed with the JONES surname.

They are as follows:     Washington Co., FL  Jonah Jones , Jonathan Jones, Wiley Jones

                                      Jackson Co., FL  Samuel Jones, J.S. Jones, Kindred Jones, Jonathan Jones,
                                                                  William Jones

                                      Columbia Co., FL   Keziah Jones, Heary Jones, Thomas Jones

There is no indication which Jones was actually the first to settle the area.  The reference is found in Jones Journeys, Vol. 2, 1974, p. 10 and p. 78.

Anyone out there who knows the story of this 1840 census of Florida?  Please post...:-).

                                     

Michigan 1837

The village and township of Warren was settled at the earliest day of the Michigan Territory.  The first town meeting was April 3, 1837, and low and behold, one of the "Commissioners of Highways" was Northrup Jones.  [This would be part of Detroit now a days?]

The 1830 census of the Michigan Territory list a "Thomas Johns", "Barney Jones", "John Jones", "Avery Jones", as well as "Northrup Jones".  It may be that one of these folks were in the settlement area first? 

Northrup is a fairly unusual first name, but does appear as a surname.  Suspect that Northrup is a material surname family group.  Any relatives out there.

Arkansas 1836

Arkansas became official in 1836.  It is not completely clear who was the first JONES, but two brothers are identified as arriving before 1840.  Shadrach and Abraham Jones are their names.  This would lead one to suspect that they were of the religious type with such good Old Testament names. [That Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in that furnace of blazing fire!]

"Shadrach Jones, b. 16 May 1810 in Ind. - Abraham Jones, b. 1819 in Ind. - Shadrach was married when he came to Ark. to Mary George b. 30 July 1819 in Ind."

Does anyone have connections?  Were their settlements of Quakers/Baptist/etc. in the area? 

This reference is found:  Jones Journeys, Vol. I, May 1973, p. 97.

Missouri 1821

Moving westward across the Mississippi River followed the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.  It was an ongoing process into what was considered  first the Louisiana Territory.  What was to become Missouri was identified as "The Missouri Territory".  Here, certificates for land with "titles" and "claims" were being settled by 1809.

Commissioner's certificates were issued to a Thomas Jones dated January 1809.  It is given as Merrimac waters, St. Louis District. [Cert. #136]  The reference is found in "Missouri Pioneers", Vol. I, by Mrs. Howard Woodruff and Miss Nadine Hodges 1824.  This reference is found in Jones Journeys, Vol. VIII, 1980, p. 369.  It is interesting that the folks in Missouri were writing books about their "Pioneers" just a few years after their state was formed.  Wow....what a deal for the genealogist!

Any Missouri Jones out there?

Maine 1820

From the New England Company, to the Plymouth Company, to the state of Maine, folks were settling the area around 1663.  From "Old Kittery & Her Families" of Maine; published 1903 by Stackpole is recorded:

"Alexander Jones, probably son of the Alexander Jones who was a servant of  Capt. John Mason, was living in Kittery in 1663 and owned land on west side of Spruce Creek in 1676.  He died before 1720.  It may have been he who married Sarah, daughter of John Pearce.  He had a son Daniel and probably Cornelius who was living at Spruce Creek in 1687."

Wow...some 157 years before Maine became a State of the Union, there were JONES among the branches.  Not sure of all the history that surrounds this area of the country.  Are there any JONES from Maine who might be able to tell their story?

                              [Source: Jones Journeys, Vol. 13, 1985 - 1986, p. 1026.]

Alabama 1819

One of the first settlements in what was to become the State of Alabama (1819) was around the area now called Birmingham.  Before these settlers arrived, Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek Indians used this area as a common hunting ground.  An important trade path coursed through the valley, and a Creek trading center named "Mad Town" was a few miles southeast on the Cahaba River.  It was around 1813 that a John Jones arrived and began a crude fort called "Jonesborough".  This area became known as "Jones Valley" up to the Civil War period.  The Jones surname arrived very early in the history of this state.  Wow, those Jones sure seem to get around.

This information is taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. VI, 1978, p. 17-18.  It records that the account comes from: Alabama - A Guide to the Deep South - WPA Writer's Program; Richard R. Smith, publisher, NY (1941).  Any folks connected out there?

Illinois 1818

The northwest territories seemed to be a good place to get a new start for those with the surname JONES.  Early on did this surname arrive.  For Illinois it is a Thomas Jones who is thought to arrive around 1815.

He is reported to have first moved to Kentucky from SC.  He initially owned land in Christian Co., KY, but moved to Crawford Co.,  "ILL TERR" in 1815.  He died between 31 Oct. and 7 Dec. 1829 in Edgar Co., ILL.  His wife was named Elizabeth, and their first child (Mary) was born in SC 1794.  This Mary is reported to have married in Crawford Co., IL in 1816.

The reference is : Jones Journeys, Vol. 5, 1977, p. 107.  Any folks related out there?

Mississippi 1817

Mississippi, the twentieth State, was admitted to the Union, December 10, 1817.  It was named from "the Great Father of Waters" called the "Mississippi".

The Mississippi Territory it was first called, and included the present States of Alabama and Mississippi.  In 1803, "the Purchase of Louisiana" brought this territory in the folds of the United States.

The first JONES to be recorded from this territory was the marriage of John Jones to Catharine Miller.  The marriage date is 25 May 1803.  It was listed in "Adams" county.  These folks must have been present at the earliest days of this "Mississippi Territory".   Any folks related out there?

This reference is found: Jones Journeys, Vol. 12, 1984 - 1985, p. 889.

Indiana 1816

The Indiana Territory begins its story 1803 - 1805.  However, what was to become the state of Indiana was not formed until 1816.  The earliest records appear to be dated from 1801 in Clark County Wills & Executor's Records 1801 - 1833.  Here it is recorded that the will of George Jones was dated  August 13, 1806.  His wife was Jane Jones, and sister was listed as Polly Jones.  A Jones family it must have been before 1806.  The will was proved by Davis Floyd, along with a number of other Floyd being listed.  The will was probated 9 January 1808.  Any folks out there related?

The documentation is given: Jones Journeys, Vol. 14, 1986 - 1987, p.1273.

Louisiana 1812

In 1682, La Salle first descended the Mississippi River to its mouth.  He claimed the territory for France, and gave it the name of  Louisiana.  Since that date, it has been called "the territory of Orleans", as well as "the district of Louisiana".  Spain [acquires from France 1762] and France [ceded by Spain to France 1800] dealt with this land until 1803, when it became part of a new tract of country [purchased by the United States], called of course, the "Louisiana Purchase". 

It became a new "State" in 1812.  With this cultural background [French and Spanish] it is understandable why there are not many appearing with the surname JONES! 

As best as I can tell, Marshall Jones, Sr. (age 49) is listed in the 1860 census of  "Winn Parish".  He is recorded as being born in LA.  Thus, at least his mother would have be present one year before the Louisiana Purchase became a State.  All his family members are shown to be born in LA.  Other folks of the same age (in 1860) are shown to be born in other states such as AL, TN, SC, and GA.  For example,  Jesse Jones, age 56, in the 1850 census of  "Natchitoches Parish" is the oldest JONES living in Louisiana. (in 1850).  However,  he was born in NC.   In the same household, a Matilda Jones, age 26, is also listed, but is shown as being born in FL.  If this was a daughter [and not wife], he would be in FL until at least 1824.  Whew...those French and Spanish did not utilized the JONES surname.  Does anyone have other information regarding the first JONES in Louisiana?

These census data can be found in : "Louisiana, Natchitoches Parish, 1850 Census, Jones Journeys, Vol. 19, [1991-1992] p. 1928, and "Louisiana, Winn Parish, 1860 census, "Union Parish, 1850 Census", Jones Journeys, Vol. 18, [1990-1991] pp. 1790-1791.

Ohio 1787

Ohio was formed as a state in 1803.  It has become known as "Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers".  But in 1787, one of the first surveys is to be found in Adams County [Deed Books 1, 2, 3, 1797- 1803, p.28] is recorded:

"For military service for 3 years service in the Virginia Line and by Act of Congress 10 Aug 1790: 9 June 1793 - grant to Noble Grimes, assignee of Churchill Jones.  100 acres surved 17 Nov 1787 on Military warrant #2311." [Jones Journeys, Vol. 19, 1991-1992, p.1930]

Most likely, Churchill Jones never arrived in Ohio, but a Jones had something to do with one of the earliest surveys.

Samuel G. Jones, born in Maryland, and came to Ohio from Kentucky in 1802 may be the first Jones to officially arrive.  He was born 1778 and died at age 63 years.  He is found in Scioto County, from "Portsmouth Pioneer Families". [Jones Journeys, Vol. 12, 1984-1985, p. 916.]

Does anyone know more about the first Jones to Ohio?

Tennessee 1779

Late in October 1779,  James Robertson led a party of men to establish a settlement along the Cumberland River in what is now the Nashville area.  He reached a bluff where Nashville now stands on Christmas Day, 1779.  He brought with him approximately 200 males over a land route which covered about 500 miles.  One gentleman among this group was Jacob Jones, from North Carolina.  He had received land from NC for his service in the Revolutionary War.  The wives, children, and goods of those who had taken the land route were to follow using a water route, under the command of John Donelson and John Blackemore.  An amazing story unfolds as recounted by a diary kept by John Donelson.  This story can be found in Early History of Middle Tennessee , by Edward Albright.

Jacob Jones and his family, a story to remember.  The first JONES to Tennessee and what was to become Nashville is his story.

Kentucky 1774

"My Old Kentucky Home" it is for me and my family.  It became a state in 1792, but it was a county of Virginia starting 1772 as Fincastle County.  The first JONES to have a land grant in what was to become Kentucky was Gabriel Jones.  His original survey number was 8104 and the documentation can be found on page 107 of the "Master Index Virginia Surveys and Grants 1774-1791" published by the Kentucky Historical Society in 1976.  This was a "Military Warrant" issued for service in the French and Indian War.  He served in Virginia Colonial Militia from August County, September 1758.  This documentation can be found on page 65 of "Virginia Colonial Militia 1651 - 1776", edited by Crozier and published in 1954.  The 2000 acres was surveyed by Hancock Taylor on an "Unknown fk. Elkhorn Cr.".  It was at the corner of land which Hancock Taylor had surveyed for himself.  The documentation can be found on page 148 in "Kentucky Land Warrants, for the French, Indian, & Revolutionary Wars" complied by Samuel M. Wilson 1913.  The name "Gabriel Jones" becomes very confusing during this early period since there were several by this name.  Anyone out there connected?