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?

Vermont 1773

On March 4, 1791 joined the union of these United States.  First as "New Connecticut", then as Vermont, it was often a disputed area of land between New Hampshire and New York.

The first JONES I have been able to identify is John Jones 1773.  In Manchester, VT on 23 December 1773, there is a marriage record between John Jones and Sarah Patterson.  There children are recorded as all being born in Manchester, VT between 1774 and 1783. 

Now the first English speaking folks arrived around 1724.   Therefore, it is possible that others with the Jones surname appears in what to become Vermont before 1773.  Does anyone have a Jones family from Vermont before 1773?  Please post and let's network. 

Georgia 1732

In 1732, George II granted to a board of trustees Georgia.  Savannah was founded one year later.

In the earliest days, Noble Jones, age 32, embarked "6 Nov 1732" and arrived in Savannah "1 Feb 1732-3".  He was listed as "carpenter", and he obtained "lot 41 in Savannah".  He was employed to survey the peoples lots, but apparently removed from this activity "for negligence".  In Jones Journeys, Vol. 19, p. 1962 it is recorded that he took possession of lot 41 during December 1733.  He is reported to have moved to a "new plantation" about 10 miles from Savannah on 21 Oct. 1738.  Are there any relatives out there?

There is also a Cornelius Jones listed as "apprentice to Sam'l Grey also embarking Nov. 1732.  He arrived the same date as Noble Jones listed above.  No relationship is given, but they may certainly be related.  Anyone have any information, please post.

New Hampshire 1679

Partly an offshoot of Massachusetts, New Hampshire was given a separate status in 1679.

The first JONES found in the records of Durham, N.H. is a Stephen Jones.  He is listed as a "Culler of Pipestaves".  Listed as an inhabitant of Oyster River, he took the freeman's oath 15 May 1672.  He received land at Johnson's Creek in 1672 and was living in 1680.  It appears he died before 1682 for his widow was taxed in 1682.

"Live Free or Die" it states on the N.H. quarter per above.  Stephen Jones certainly would have been one of those "Old Man of The Mountain".

References:  History of the Town of Durham, N.H. (Oyster River Plantation), by Everett S. Stackpole & Lucien Thompson, (c. 1913/14)

                     Jones Journeys, Vol. 12, 1984 - 1985, p. 875.

North Carolina 1693

This colony began under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company.  Early settlements were made by pioneers from other colonies.  It came under an association of proprietors in 1665 by a royal grant covering all the Carolina region.

The first with the surname JONES was "Mr. Charles Jones" who proved an oath regarding the will of Mr. George Durants 1693.  This is recorded in the State Records of NC (Vol. I, 1662 - 1713) p. 393.  These were the records of the Perquimans Precinct Court.

I have done a great deal of research into the State Records of North Carolina for the surname JONES.  This research can be found in a series of my "Research Notebooks" (RN) beginning with RN # 110, through RN # 117.  The content of this research can be found at "The Jones Genealogist Research Notebooks" which is a blog site.  Please explore.  Any JONES families from North Carolina?

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Jerry E. Jones, MD, MS, The Jones Genealogist, Library of Congress No. 6192-01064476.