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?