Nebraska 1867

It was just after the close of the American Civil War that folks moved their wagons past Chimney Rock to settle in this new territory called Nebraska.  The name meaning 'water-valley', it was form out of the Louisiana and Nebraska territories.  The 1860 Census list at least 45 households that registered an individual with the surname JONES. [Jones Journeys, Vol. 15, 1987 - 1988, pp. 1395-1397.]  There were folks from all over the map, including a fair number from Wales, England, and Ireland.  There were farmers, clerks, carpenters, druggist, servants, teamsters, postmasters, domestics, land agents, millwights, miners, traders, and wagon makers.  There were folks from NY, NJ, PA, OH, IN, IA, IL, MO, and VT. [Mostly Northern ]  There were a few from VA, and MO [southern states] , and several from KY and MD [neutral states].  What a mixture it was.

Douglas Co. Marriage records reveal an Anney Jones (age 18) to have married Nelson Brown on 12 Apr 1857.  A James A. Jones marries a Margrata Sheldon on 2 Sept 1857. [Jones Journeys, Vol. 18, 1990-1991, p. 1783.]  These Jones were active in Nebraska Territory a decade before it became a State in the Union.

Nevada 1864

The 37th state that was to be formed comes from Spanish that means  "Snow-Covered Mountains".  It was admitted to the Union, October 31, 1864.  Interesting enough, it is one of only two states not to have a person with the JONES surname among the pages of Jones Journeys. [Published 1973 - 1992]  No early JONES discussed in these 19 volumes that I can discover.  Does anyone have a source or record of an early JONES family in Nevada?  Please post any information in the comment section below.

West Virginia 1863

Strong opposition to secession lead a group of folks in the western parts of Virginia to withdraw from this state.  These folks were so opposed to separating from the Union, they joined together forming a new state called "West" Virginia.  Prior to 1863, this geographic area had been part of  Virginia, and the first folks to settle there were in counties of Virginia.  Hampshire Co. seems to be the first form in 1754, officially out of Augusta which was formed 1745.

The first Jones listed in this county was on 9 December 1757.  Gabriel Jones, whose wife was listed as Margaret of the city of Augusta leased lot #52 containing 200 acres upon Wappeomo or Great South Branch of Potomac to a George Hoge of the city of Hampshire.  This was recorded in Hampshire records 13 Dec 1757.  "Ja. Keith" and "H. Churchill" were given as witness. 

Reference is taken from Jones Journeys, Vol 8, p.333.  It is recorded as being taken from Early Records of Hampshire County, Va, by Clara McCormack Sage & Laura Sage Jones, 1976.  [There would have to be a Jones in the mix.]

Kansas 1861

The Civil War had started and folks were certainly occupied.  Only two states were admitted during this war period [Kansas 1861 and Nevada 1864], but the westward rush of pioneers continued.  Of course those with the JONES surname were there.  In Franklin township one of the first districts to be established in Jackson County [originally Calhoun County] was called "Brick schoolhouse district".  At "Brick Cemetery" [Holton, KS] is buried Harlan C. Jones, b. 6 Mar. 1814; d. 12 Apr 1870.  The wife of Harlan C. is also buried, and a daughter Narcissa [b. 1846] rest here as well.  This would place Harlan in the Kansas area around 1845.  It must have been an interesting place to settle. 

                      [wife was Ruth Hannah (Zell) Jones, b. 3 Mar 1816; d. 19 Apr 1893]

Reference: Jones Journeys, Vol. 13,  p. 1086.

Oregon 1859

 The extreme western end of the Louisiana Purchase [Oregon country] had been settled by fur traders, missionaries, and farmers from the eastern side of the Mississippi.  By 1843, enough folks had gathered to form a compact for government which helped provide cooperation among the various settlements.  The earliest JONES to arrive in this territory was Michael Jones, b. 1804,  Kanawha Co., VA.  He is reported to have arrived Oregon 15 November 1845.  He settled a land claim 6 April 1852, and would have been one of the first to carrying the surname JONES.  Oregon officially became a State of the Union in 1859.

There were a fair number of JONES in the 1860 Census of Oregon.  Some making land claims before Michael, but he is the earliest to have arrived that I have been able to discover.  From all over it seems the JONES surname comes : 1) Ohio, 2) New York, 3) Indiana, 4) Kentucky, 5) Pennsylvania, 6) Maryland, 7) New Jersey, 8) Tennessee, 9) North Carolina, 10) Iowa, 11) Virginia, 12) Missouri, 13) South Carolina, 14) Nebraska, 15) Alabama, 16) Illinois, 17) Ireland, 18) Bavaria,  and 19) Germany.  What a deal...a mixing and matching indeed. 

Data from 1860 census taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. 4, 1976, pp.59-63.
Michael Jones found Genealogical Material in Oregon Donation Land Claims, Vol. I; abstracted by Geneal. Forum of Portland, Oregon 1957.  As abstracted: Jones Journeys, Vol. 11, 1983-1984, p.710.

Minnesota 1858

David Jones is describe as "...a prominent citizen and well-to-do farmer of Shakatan township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, and resides on section 11."  A fairly lengthy account can be found in "Illustrated Album of Biography of Southwestern Minnesota and Northwestern Iowa - 1889."

His family story is given, and best I can tell he arrives Winnebago county, Wisconsin around 1850.  Interesting story given here.  He has to be one of the earliest JONES to the Minnesota area.  Any descendants out there?

The reference is taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. 4, 1976, pp.43 - 45.

California 1850

The California gold fields attracted many to this part of the world.  For those with JONES surname it seemed to be so.  The index to the 1850 census reveals that every county except San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties had numerous Jones.  They were from many different places including : NY, VA, KY, VT, NJ, MO, OH, ME, DE, PA, MI, WI, CT, IL, MA, LA, TN, AL, MS, GA, IN, Wales, Great Britain, Ireland,  Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Mexico, and Canada.  What a melting pot indeed.  A real set of brick walls for those tree climbers.

The earliest Jones I could find in the Marriages of Sonoma Co., dated 10 Oct 1847.  It shows a William J. Reynolds marriage to Isabella Jones.  Isabella is a name appearing in my own family tree.  At any rate, you can begin to understand the web of branches that this state provides.

Source: Jones Journeys, Vol. 10, p. 639, under "Sonoma County, California, Marriages 1844 - 1860".  The 1850 census is given in  Jones Journeys, Vol. 6, pp 40-41 and p. 65 , and also found in Vol. 16, pp. 1548 - 1551.