The Bible wins again as the source of this unusual first name. The name presents itself initially in the book of I Samuel, and occurs a fair number of times associated with the life of David. Used as a first name with the surname JONES it appears in Northumberland County, Virginia Births, 1661 - 1810. It is recorded that on the 20th February 1772 that "Abishai Jones the son of Winnefrit Hudson A Bastard son was Born". An interesting account with the mother's maiden name given as Hudson, and the child born is recorded with the surname JONES. The father of the child is not listed. According to Meade, in the year 1776, Mr. John Leland and the Rev. Benjamin Sebastion were ministers in the county. Perhaps, it was one of these fellows who selected the name.
Caroline Cunningham, Vol. III, p. 2.
Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia, by Bishop William Meade, Vol. II, p.132. This two volume reference was first published in 1857.
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