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?
Networking: Freeman Jones (b. 1763 Brunswick Co. VA d. 26 July 1835 Pickens Co. AL ) Pvt. VA Cont. Line. Pension No. W 7900 m. 7 Nov. 1785 Christian or Christine Parrish (Paris) Rutherford Co. NC Lived 12 yrs Rutherford Co., NC...about 4 yrs near Knoxville, TN...approx. 7 yrs near Bowling Green, Warren Co., KY...about 4 yrs near "Bletcher's Lock", Smith Co., TN...about 10 yrs. in Madison Co., AL...and about 7 yrs in St. Clair Co., AL...Obtained a land patent in Madison Co. AL in 1811. Wow...someone must have been chasing him...any family out there?
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