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.