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.